New Computer Virus, Same Old Deployment Method

A new, self-destructing, stealth computer virus was discovered earlier this week. The virus, dubbed Rombertik by computer security experts, actively scans for signs that anti-virus software is looking for it. If found, the virus will go nuclear and erase the boot sector of the hard drive, rendering the computer inoperable.

Before it’s detected, the virus does not sit dormant. It continuously grabs login and other personal information, and sends it off to cyberspace so it can be used to hack into other network systems.

​As invasive and destructive as this virus is, it is installed on computers the same way as most viruses – through a booby-trapped attachment on a phishing message. As always, the first line of defense is: don’t open email attachments or click on links in emails if you are the least bit suspicious. Check the validity and source of the message first.