PC Virus (loader or loader.exe) appearing on desktop?

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Level 1

93 points

PC Virus (loader or loader.exe) appearing on desktop?

This is a first...a forum I visit has been infected with a virus on their index page, identified as, "loader or loader.exe." Thinking I was invincible on my Mac, I went to check it out and to my surprise I'm getting automatic downloads to my desktop. Very strange!
This is a screenshot:
http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/3710/picture27nq.jpg

Posted on Oct 29, 2005 4:43 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 30, 2005 12:06 AM in response to Filly

This is a particular strain of the ad/spyware variant "CoolWebSearch". It seems that either the loader.exe file is loading due to an exploit in the forum script, or that the forum owner is trying to generate revenue for himself. Either way, it seems to be getting on your desktop via "drive-by downloading" techniques which take advantage of certain hole or flaws in the browser.

Which browser are you using at the time?

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Answer 2

Filly Author

Level 1

93 points

Oct 30, 2005 12:55 AM in response to Evan Schmidt

I was using Safari 1.3.1...

A bunch of Mac users convened over there. All using Safari ended up with similar suspect files on their desktop, those using FireFox received only a message that a plug-in was needed, no files were downloaded.

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Answer 3

Oct 30, 2005 10:50 AM in response to Filly

I suspect it is an exploit in a java applet on the site somewhere. Firefox will ask to load the java applet, Safari will download it to the desktop but will not execute it.

If someone was using IE on their PC though they would be infected by now 😟

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Answer 4

Oct 30, 2005 1:24 PM in response to Filly

Filly, I understand your concern, but to date there are still no known Viruses that affect Apple's Unix Operating System.
These little diddys are developed by users to affect Microsoft Programs.
Here is a very good link that will explains it.
link

Good Luck...Don

[ Edited by Apple Discussions Moderator; href URL ]

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