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Published Aug 08, 2005 | Updated Sep 15, 2017

Worm:Win32/Bropia.W

Detected by Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Aliases: Win32.Bropia.D (CA)

Summary

Win32/Bropia.W.worm is a worm that targets computers running certain versions of Microsoft Windows. The worm spreads as a file sent through MSN Messenger or Windows Messenger. The worm drops a variant of Backdoor:Win32/Rbot when the user opens the file.
To manually recover from infection by Win32/Bropia.W.worm, follow these steps:
  1. Disconnect from the Internet.
  2. Restart your computer in safe mode.
  3. Delete the worm files from your computer.
  4. Delete the worm registry entry.
  5. Restart your computer. 
  6. Take steps to prevent re-infection.

Disconnect from the Internet

To help ensure that your computer is not actively infecting other computers, you should disconnect it from the Internet before proceeding. Print this Web page or save a copy on your computer; then unplug your network cable and disable your wireless connection. You can reconnect to the Internet after completing these steps.

Restart your computer in safe mode

To start your computer in safe mode
  1. Remove all floppy disks and CDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.
  2. When prompted, press F8. If Windows starts without displaying the Please select the operating system to start menu, restart your computer. Press F8 after the firmware POST process completes, but before Windows displays graphical output.
  3. From the Windows Advanced Options menu, select a safe mode option.

Delete the worm files from your computer

To delete the worm files from your computer
  1. Scan the local hard disks with an antivirus tool to locate and delete the worm files.
  2. On the Desktop, right-click the Recycle Bin and click Empty Recycle Bin.
  3. Click Yes.

Delete the worm registry entry

To delete the worm registry entry
  1. On the Start menu, click Run.
  2. Type regedit and click OK.
  3. In the left pane, navigate to the key:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
  4. In the right pane, right-click the following value, if it exists: MSMSGS
  5. Click Delete and click Yes to delete the value.
  6. Close the Registry Editor.

Restart your computer

To restart your computer
  1. On the Start menu, click Shut Down.
  2. Select Restart from the drop-down list and click OK.

Take steps to prevent re-infection

Do not reconnect your computer to the Internet until the computer is protected from re-infection. See the "Preventing Infection" section for more information.
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