How to remove Zacurama.exe

A few days ago I noticed autorun.inf on a USB drive that I inserted on my computer. When I tried to delete it, it is being used by another application. I concluded then that a worm must have gotten into my computer. I killed the explorer.exe (which appears on the task manager as "Explorer.Exe") after that, I was able to delete the autorun.inf.

However, I noticed this morning that the autorun.inf kept on coming back even after I have cleaned the USB disk. After updating my Avast and Malwarebytes, I scanned my computer and both programs found no threat but I know something is wrong.

How to Prevent Autorun from Running: Right Click for Safety

Autorun which is supposed to be a valid windows service. It automatically launches a file once a flash-disk  or a CD/DVD is inserted. However this service has been exploited by work makers. These days, one of the most common carriers of malware are the flash disks or USB disk. When your flash disk is infected and you insert it ina computer, it will run the malware, put a part of it in the memory, create copies of it in the local drive(s) and wait for another flash disk to be inserted and contaminate, then the cycle starts again. (Read the details about Autorun.inf here).

One way to stop Autorun from running is messing with the registry. Many of you however don't want to do this for various reasons. So an alternative to stop autorun from running every time you insert your flash disk is HOW you insert your flash disk and HOW you open.

Difference between A Virus, A Worm, A Trojan Horse and Malware

There are so many terms that refers to virus and malwares that are often interchanged that results to mis-conceptions. Here are some of those terms

Virus- or computer virus refers to a computer program that infects another program. Technically a true computer virus attaches itself or a part of it into another program or a file. Computer virus, like its biological counter part needs a 'host' to infect and spread. It primarily attaches itself to an executable (.exe) or command (.com) files.

It spreads when an infected program is opened then it will infect -by attaching a copy of its code to- another program. When an infected program is copied or run in another computer, it repeat the process again and again. Most of these computer virus are capable of leaving a part of it running in the memory (memory resident) and and will look for another program to infect. Current forms of computer virus are capable of spreading itself through the network and even through the Internet.

Worm - is a self replicating program. It creates copies of itself to available folders (directories) and drives, some later versions are even capable of replicating itself across networks. Unlike a virus, a worm does not need a host program to infect.

Some worms create copies of itself with seemingly random file names, some are named after the folder where it is contained and will display also a folder icon, deceiving the user to double click on it. Doing so, will activate the worm and spread itself further.

Trojan Horse - named after the epic tale of the Trojan War. In the story the Greeks gave the Trojans a giant wooden horse as a "gift" or sign of surrender. Once the wooden horse was inside the impenetrable walls of Troy, the select Greek soldiers hidden inside the horse opened the gates that lead to the fall of Troy.

In computers, a Trojan horse is seemingly harmless and even useful program and often very inviting. Unlike the virus or worm, a Trojan horse does not replicate itself, but once running it does some other routine that is hidden from the user, it could get some information from your computer, or download a virus or worm and/or could do something that would damage your system.

Malware - short for Malicious Software, is any programs or script created with malicious intent. Virus, Worms and Trojan Horses are just three of the many forms of malware. Most often though the term virus is erroneously used to point out any of the Malware mentioned.

More definitions coming soon.

My USB has Autorun Virus! What should I do?

I have heard a number of people said “ My USB is infected with an autorun virus” or something similar to that.

First of all autorun or autorun.inf is not a virus or a malware (malicious software) at all. It is a valid component of the Windows operating system which was introduced in Windows 95 (probably some of you kids have not even seen a Windows 95 before)

Getting a virus from USB / Flashdisk

Probably you're one those who's computer got infected by a virus from your USB or flashdisk.

Before anything else… technically these so called viruses that get transferred through usb or flashdisks are worms or other form of malicious softwares (malwares) and not technically viruses (although when I talk about this to other people I refer to them as virus too … for easy reference and I don’t have to explain myself what the heck is a worm)