Tech Shout!

Security expert MicroWorld Technologies, has warned computer users against the likely infection of a Trojan named ‘Win32.StartPage.jo’ whilst visiting dubious websites or downloading freebies from untrustworthy sources on the net.

According to MicroWorld Technologies Win32.StartPage.jo alters Internet settings. Many a times website named www.find-online.net is set as a homepage in Internet Explorer. While lot many bogus drug sites and porn sites are added in the favorites folder. That’s not it; the malicious virus also makes changes in the Windows registry to activate the Trojan at the system start-up.

Vikas Vishwasrao, Assistant Manager – R and D, MicroWorld said, “This Trojan can impede your Internet activity by popping up pornographic content every now and then. Some of these sites offer to the user Codecs and other downloads which potentially pave way for more malware to enter the computer. A couple of them are also seen exploiting browser vulnerabilities to slither into unprotected PCs.”

Moreover the company cautioned that such Porno-Trojans will direct the computer to child pornographic sites. Accessing such sites is a crime in many countries.

“Browser hijackers can pose yet another threat when used in Pharming attacks. Pharming is an advanced form of Phishing where users are redirected to phony look-alikes of bank and credit card websites even when you key in the actual URL of the site directly into the address bar of the browser. Next, all confidential information you’ve entered into the website in good faith can reach straight to the malware author, who would use that information in whichever way he wants,” said Sunil Kripalani, Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, MicroWorld.

In short, Win32.StartPage.jo is a Trojan, which can damage not only your computer but also harm your life with miserable court suits.