How to Detect and Remove Back Orifice Trojans from Your System with F-Secure Anti-Virus
What is Back Orifice and why should you care?
If you are using a computer running Windows operating system, you may have heard of a program called Back Orifice. This program is not a harmless joke or a useful tool. It is a malware that can give a hacker complete access to your computer and data over the internet. In this article, you will learn what Back Orifice is, how it works, how it can harm you, how you can detect and remove it, and how you can prevent it from infecting your computer. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of this serious cyber threat and how to protect yourself from it.
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The history of Back Orifice
The origin and purpose of Back Orifice
Back Orifice was created by a hacker group called Cult of the Dead Cow (cDc) in 1998. The name is a play on words on Microsoft BackOffice Server software. The cDc claimed that their purpose was to demonstrate the lack of security in Microsoft's Windows 9x series of operating systems. They released Back Orifice at DEF CON 6, a computer security convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Back Orifice is a remote administration tool, which means that it allows a user to control another computer from a remote location. However, unlike legitimate remote administration tools that require authorization from both parties, Back Orifice can be installed on a victim's computer without their knowledge or consent. This makes it a Trojan horse, which is a type of malware that disguises itself as something benign or useful, but actually contains malicious code.
The evolution and variants of Back Orifice
After the release of Back Orifice, the cDc continued to develop and improve the program. In 1999, they released Back Orifice 2000, which added support for Windows NT and 2000 operating systems, as well as new features and encryption methods.
However, the cDc was not the only group that was interested in Back Orifice. Other hackers and cybercriminals also modified and distributed their own versions of Back Orifice, with different names and functionalities. Some of these variants include Deep Back Orifice, which can hide itself from antivirus software, NetBus, which can capture webcam and microphone activity, and SubSeven, which can launch denial-of-service attacks.
The dangers of Back Orifice
How Back Orifice works as a remote administration tool
Back Orifice works by using a client-server architecture. This means that there are two components involved: a client program and a server program. The client program is used by the hacker to control the server program, which is installed on the victim's computer. The server program runs in the background, without the victim's awareness, and communicates with the client program over the internet.
The server program can be installed on the victim's computer by various methods, such as email attachments, drive-by downloads, or exploiting vulnerabilities. The server program can also be disguised as a legitimate file or application, such as a game, a screensaver, or a utility. Once installed, the server program can be configured to start automatically when the computer boots up, making it harder to detect and remove.
What Back Orifice can do to your computer and data
The capabilities of Back Orifice depend on the version and variant of the program, but generally speaking, it can give the hacker full control over your computer and data. Some of the things that Back Orifice can do are:
Access, modify, delete, or encrypt your files: The hacker can browse through your hard drive, view or edit your documents, photos, videos, or music, delete any file or folder, or encrypt your data with a password that only they know.
Monitor your keystrokes and screen activity: The hacker can record every key that you press on your keyboard, including your passwords and personal information. They can also capture screenshots of your desktop or applications that you are using.
Capture your passwords and personal information: The hacker can use various techniques to steal your passwords and personal information from your web browser, email client, or other programs. They can also use your identity to access your online accounts, such as your bank account, social media account, or email account.
Use your computer for illegal activities: The hacker can use your computer as a proxy to hide their identity and location. They can also use your computer to launch attacks on other computers or networks, such as sending spam emails, distributing malware, or participating in botnets.
Crash your system: The hacker can cause your computer to malfunction or stop working by changing your system settings, deleting critical files, or running malicious commands.
As you can see, Back Orifice can cause serious damage to your computer and data, as well as compromise your privacy and security.
The detection and removal of Back Orifice
How to tell if your computer is infected by Back Orifice
Because Back Orifice is designed to be stealthy and hidden, it can be difficult to detect if your computer is infected by it. However, there are some signs that may indicate that your computer is compromised by Back Orifice, such as:
Unusual network traffic: If you notice that your internet connection is slower than usual, or that your network activity indicator is constantly blinking, it may mean that your computer is sending or receiving data from the hacker's client program.
Suspicious processes: If you open your Task Manager and see processes that have strange or random names, such as explorer.exe, svchost.exe, or winlogon.exe, it may mean that your computer is running the Back Orifice server program.
Registry entries: If you open your Registry Editor and see entries that have the name Back Orifice, cDc, or BO2K, it may mean that your computer has been configured to run the Back Orifice server program at startup.
Files: If you search your hard drive and find files that have the extension .exe, .dll, or .vxd, and have the same name as the processes mentioned above, it may mean that your computer has the Back Orifice server program installed in the system directory.
If you notice any of these signs, you should take immediate action to scan and clean your computer from Back Orifice.
How to use antivirus software and tools to scan and clean your computer
The best way to detect and remove Back Orifice from your computer is to use a reputable antivirus program that can scan and disinfect your system. There are many antivirus programs available on the market, but some of them may not be able to detect or remove Back Orifice effectively. Therefore, you should choose an antivirus program that has a high detection rate and a low false positive rate for Back Orifice. One of the antivirus programs that meets these criteria is F-Secure Anti-Virus.
F-Secure Anti-Virus is a powerful and reliable antivirus program that can protect your computer from various types of malware, including Back Orifice. It has a user-friendly interface and a fast scanning engine that can detect and remove Back Orifice trojans from your system. It also has a real-time protection feature that can prevent new infections from occurring. You can download F-Secure Anti-Virus from its official website and install it on your computer. After installation, you should update its virus definitions and run a full system scan. F-Secure Anti-Virus will then identify and delete any Back Orifice trojans that it finds on your computer.
If you prefer to use a manual method to delete the Back Orifice server program from your system directory, you can follow these steps:
Restart your computer in Safe Mode by pressing F8 during boot up.
Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the system directory, which is usually C:\Windows\System32 or C:\Windows\SysWOW64.
Look for files that have the extension .exe, .dll, or .vxd, and have the same name as the suspicious processes mentioned above, such as explorer.exe, svchost.exe, or winlogon.exe.
Delete these files by right-clicking on them and selecting Delete.
Empty the Recycle Bin by right-clicking on it and selecting Empty Recycle Bin.
Restart your computer normally.
Note: This method may not work for all variants of Back Orifice, and may cause damage to your system if you delete the wrong files. Therefore, you should only use this method if you are confident about what you are doing, or if you have a backup of your system.
The alternatives and prevention of Back Orifice
How to use legitimate remote administration tools instead of Back Orifice
While Back Orifice is a malicious and illegal remote administration tool, there are some situations where you may need or want to use a legitimate and authorized remote administration tool. For example, you may need to access your home computer from your office, or you may want to help a friend or family member with a technical problem on their computer. In these cases, you should use a secure and trustworthy remote administration tool that requires consent from both parties and provides encryption and authentication features. Some of the popular and reliable remote administration tools that you can use are:
TeamViewer: TeamViewer is a cross-platform remote administration tool that allows you to connect to another computer over the internet and control it as if you were sitting in front of it. You can also transfer files, chat, or make video calls with the other party. TeamViewer uses a unique ID and password system to establish a secure connection, and also provides end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication. You can download TeamViewer from its official website and install it on your computer. To use TeamViewer, you need to obtain the ID and password of the other computer, and enter them in your TeamViewer client. The other computer will then receive a request for permission, which they need to accept before you can access their computer.
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP): RDP is a built-in feature of Windows operating systems that allows you to connect to another Windows computer over a network or the internet and control it remotely. You can also access the applications and resources of the other computer, such as printers or drives. RDP uses encryption and authentication protocols to ensure a secure connection, and also allows you to adjust the quality and performance of the connection. To use RDP, you need to enable it on both computers, and configure the firewall and router settings to allow RDP traffic. You also need to know the IP address or hostname of the other computer, and enter it in your Remote Desktop Connection client. The other computer will then prompt you for your username and password, which you need to enter before you can access their computer.
Secure Shell (SSH): SSH is a network protocol that allows you to securely access another computer over the internet using a command-line interface. You can also use SSH to transfer files, tunnel network traffic, or execute commands on the other computer. SSH uses public-key cryptography and encryption algorithms to ensure a secure connection, and also provides password or key-based authentication. To use SSH, you need to install an SSH client on your computer, such as PuTTY or OpenSSH, and an SSH server on the other computer, such as OpenSSH or Bitvise SSH Server. You also need to know the IP address or hostname of the other computer, and enter it in your SSH client. The other computer will then ask you for your username and password or key, which you need to enter before you can access their computer.
These are some of the examples of legitimate remote administration tools that you can use instead of Back Orifice. However, you should always be careful when using any remote administration tool, and only use it with permission from the other party and for lawful purposes.
How to protect your computer and network from Back Orifice attacks
The best way to prevent Back Orifice from infecting your computer is to follow some basic cyber security practices that can protect your computer and network from various types of malware attacks. Some of these practices are:
Update your operating system and software: You should always keep your operating system and software up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates. This can fix any vulnerabilities or bugs that may be exploited by hackers or malware.
Install a firewall and antivirus program: You should always have a firewall and antivirus program installed on your computer. A firewall can block unauthorized network traffic from entering or leaving your computer, while an antivirus program can scan and remove any malware that may be present on your system.
Avoid opening suspicious email attachments or links: You should never open any email attachments or links that come from unknown or untrusted sources. These may contain malware or phishing scams that can infect your computer or steal your information.
Educate yourself and others about cyber security: You should always be aware of the latest cyber threats and trends and how to protect yourself and others from them. You should also educate your friends, family, and colleagues about the risks and consequences of using or downloading Back Orifice or other malware.
Conclusion
Back Orifice is a dangerous and illegal malware that can give a hacker full control over your computer and data over the internet. It was created by a hacker group called Cult of the Dead Cow in 1998, and has since evolved and spawned various variants with different features and capabilities. Back Orifice can access, modify, delete, or encrypt your files, monitor your keystrokes and screen activity, capture your passwords and personal information, use your computer for illegal activities, or crash your system. You can detect and remove Back Orifice by using reputable antivirus software and tools, such as F-Secure Anti-Virus, or by deleting the server program from the system directory. You can also prevent Back Orifice from infecting your computer by updating your operating system and software, installing a firewall and antivirus program, avoiding opening suspicious email attachments or links, and educating yourself and others about cyber security. You should also use legitimate remote administration tools instead of Back Orifice, such as TeamViewer, Remote Desktop Protocol, or SSH, for lawful purposes.
We hope that this article has helped you understand what Back Orifice is, how it works, how it can harm you, how you can detect and remove it, and how you can prevent it from infecting your computer. If you have any questions or comments about this topic, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers related to the topic of Back Orifice:
Q: Is Back Orifice still active and relevant today?
A: Back Orifice is not as active or relevant as it was in the late 1990s or early 2000s, when Windows 9x systems were widely used. However, it is still possible that some hackers or cybercriminals may use Back Orifice or its variants to target older or vulnerable systems. Therefore, it is still important to be aware of this malware and how to protect yourself from it.
Q: How can I tell if someone is using Back Orifice to control my computer?
A: If someone is using Back Orifice to control your computer, you may notice some unusual or suspicious behavior on your system, such as:
Your mouse cursor moving by itself or clicking on things.
Your keyboard typing by itself or entering commands.
Your applications opening or closing by themselves or performing actions.
Your files being accessed, modified, deleted, or encrypted.
Your screen displaying messages or images from the hacker.
Your webcam or microphone being activated without your permission.
Your computer running slower than usual or crashing frequently.
If you notice any of these signs, you should disconnect your computer from the internet immediately and scan and clean your system with an antivirus program.
Q: How can I prevent someone from using Back Orifice to control my computer?
A: You can prevent someone from using Back Orifice to control your computer by following some basic cyber security practices, such as:
Updating your operating system and software with the latest security patches and updates.
Installing a firewall and antivirus program on your computer and keeping them updated.
li>Avoiding opening suspicious email attachments or links that come from unknown or untrusted sources.
Educating yourself and others about cyber security and the dangers of Back Orifice or other malware.
You should also use legitimate remote administration tools instead of Back Orifice, such as TeamViewer, Remote Desktop Protocol, or SSH, for lawful purposes.
Q: What should I do if I find out that someone has used Back Orifice to control my computer?
A: If you find out that someone has used Back Orifice to control your computer, you should take the following steps:
Disconnect your computer from the internet immediately and scan and clean your system with an antivirus program.
Change all your passwords and personal information on your online accounts, such as your bank account, social media account, or email account.
Report the incident to the appropriate authorities, such as your internet service provider, your local police, or your national cyber security agency.
Seek professional help if you need assistance with recovering your data, repairing your system, or dealing with the emotional impact of the incident.
You should also take preventive measures to avoid future infections by