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Published Feb 17, 2005 | Updated Sep 15, 2017

Worm:Win32/Spybot.AZ

Detected by Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Aliases: No associated aliases

Summary

Win32/Spybot.AZ.worm is a network worm that targets certain versions of Microsoft Windows. When a computer is infected with Win32/Bropia.J.worm, the worm drops Win32/Spybot.AZ.worm on the infected computer. Win32/Spybot.AZ.worm in turn spreads to other computers that do not have Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-011 (Windows LSASS buffer overflow vulnerability) installed. Win32/Spybot.AZ.worm also has backdoor capabilities, which allow attackers to control an computer through an IRC channel.
To manually recover from infection by Win32/Spybot.AZ.worm, perform the following steps:
  1. Disconnect from the Internet.
  2. Restart your computer in safe mode.
  3. Disable the worm service.
  4. Delete the worm file from your computer.
  5. Delete the worm registry entries.
  6. Restart your computer. 
  7. 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

Disable the worm service

To disable the worm services
  1. On the Start menu, click Control Panel.
  2. Click Administrative Tools and double-click Services.
  3. Right-click service NvCplScan.
  4. If the service is running, click Stop. 
  5. Right-click the service again and click Properties.
  6. Under Startup Type, change the type to Disabled.

Delete the worm file from your computer

To delete the worm file from your computer
  1. Click Start, and click Run.
  2. In the Open field, type %windir%system32
  3. Click OK.
  4. Click Name to sort files by name.
  5. If nvsc32.exe is in the list, delete it.
  6. On the Desktop, right-click the Recycle Bin and click Empty Recycle Bin.
  7. Click Yes.

Delete the worm registry entries

Win32/Spybot.AY.worm creates entries in the Windows registry that are used to run the worm every time your computer restarts. These entries should be deleted.
To delete the worm registry entries
  1. On the Start menu, click Run.
  2. Type regedit and click OK.
  3. In the left pane, navigate to the key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
  4. In the right pane, right-click the following value, if it exists: NvCplScan
  5. Click Delete and click Yes to delete the value.
  6. Repeat steps 3 through 5 for the following registry keys:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
  7. In the right pane, right-click the following value, if it exists: MSMSGS
  8. Click Delete and click Yes to delete the value.
  9. 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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