Why ILOVEYOU VIRUS is Considered as Worst Computer Virus?

I Love You Virus - Worst Computer Virus

I LOVE YOU VIRUS was one of the first worms that effectively used social engineering. It enticed victims in opening the files consisting virus.

The virus was created by Onel de Guzman of the Philippines who is also responsible for creating other forms of malware. Also, referred to as Love Bug or Love Letter hox, it mainly affects Windows computer.

When the virus was created, there were no strict laws against writing malware codes. Consequently, in 2002 I Love You Virus made a world record for being the most virulent computer virus of that time infecting 45 million Windows computer worldwide.

This article will walk you through different sections where you can learn more about the virus, its causes, its architecture and how to remove I Love You virus?

In the year 1999, this love bug circulated in online space via an email attachment and opened the loopholes in numerous security features of word 2000 and 97. The virus was set free and attacked approximately 10 millions of windows computer while creating a havoc across the globe in May 2000.

Team HTRI explains this virus as a worm written in Microsoft VBS that exploits SES on Windows. Additionally, it also carries payloads that overwrite data, changes files, download malware and email themselves using Microsoft Outlook.

The VBS and SES make the basic architecture of this virus. Understanding the architecture would help you to take mandatory precautions for your windows computer.

The Architecture of I Love You Virus

The I Love You Virus Script (the attachment) written in Microsoft VBS by default runs in Microsoft Outlook. The script then adds Windows Registry data for automatic startup on the system boot.

The worm then searches all connected drives and replace files having extensions JPG, JPEG, VBS, VBE, CSS, WSH, JS, JSE, SCT, DOC, HTA, MP2, and MP3 with the copies of itself. Furthermore, it also adds file extension VBS which then makes the user's computer unbootable.

However, MP3s and other sound related audio-video files are kept hidden rather than overwriting. The worm also propagates itself by sending out the copy of payload to each entry in the address book (Windows Address Book) of Microsoft Outlook.

You can judge the danger of virus by noting that it download the Barok trojan from an executable file WIN-BUGSFIX.EXE.

The cyberattackers use the virus to replace important files in the system eventually allowing more than twenty-five variations of I Love You virus to spread across the internet and causes different kinds of damage.

Some of the variations modify the email subject only to target a specific audience. For example, variant "Catolina” targeted in Italy, variant "BabyPic" targeted adults around the globe.

Also, Read: How to Remove Chrome.7z Virus Completely [Informative Guide]

Some mail messages sent by I Love You virus are VIRUS ALERT!!, Joke!!, Mother’s Day!! and Important! Read Carefully!!

However, one email was very particular. It was an email message with a subject line “I LOVE YOU” having an attachment LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU.txt.vbs. Most of the time, users mistakenly understand VBS file a text file. Opening this file quickly activates VBS, malicious programs and sent out emails to all other addresses from the Windows address book.

If you are a victim of this or any virus, then we recommend you using Malware Crusher to remove effects and damages of I Love You Virus attacks from your computer.

Signs of Virus Infection

In order to remain safe from virus attacks, one must know all the possible cases where I Love You virus damage your computer. Below listed symbols are the early symptoms that tell you the dangers of virus infection.

• Slow and sluggish computer performance
• Irrelevant pop-ups keep coming back to back to your browser
• Few programs run on their own even if you close them
• File multiplies and duplicates itself on its own
• Files or programs are new and unknown
• Deny access to files and folders
• Hard drive corrupts
• Infect and delete backup files
• If attacks are more severe then mail system shutdowns
• Modifies Windows registry editors files
• Disable firewall settings and drops other malicious threats into the system.

These annoyances put your computer at great risk. Even more, such virus attacks are getting larger day by day in terms of complexity and have easily established itself as a tool to victimize cybersecurity.

Is it Possible To Remove I Love You Virus?

Yes, it is! But, it should be noticed that these intrusive threats are not easy to find on the computer. And needs a powerful tool that can work against the threats. The promotion of this virus is done by some malicious and scam websites.

Therefore, a virus removal guide is necessary. For this, team HTRI has specifically designed a removal process that will work against any kind of virus and other threat variants.

• Automatic Preventive Method
• Manual Preventive Methods

Also, read: Top 10 Scam Free Websites You will Love to See

Automatically Remove I Love You Virus

The robust technology of a malware tool makes it a security defender for the Windows computer and prevent system before the virus starts infecting it.

Malware Crusher is the best Windows antimalware for the complete security system complete PC protection. It’s different malware removal capabilities makes it a solution for everyone's cybersecurity need.

Following are a few of the features that stops entry of any malicious threat into your computer:

• It’s real-time protection feature, performs a deep scan to detects malicious software and persistent threats. Also, identifies suspicious behavior on your computer.
• The Quarantine feature of the tool removes all infected files from your computer. Additionally, keeps a record of all deleted malicious program and allows you to choose important programs to restore at a later time.
• Malware Crusher also creates a shield against Ransomware, Adware, Malware, Browser Hijackers, Viruses, Extensions and Trojans from entering into your system.
• The 24X7 online protective shield works as an anti-exploit technology and blocks the ransomware component before they hold files as a hostage.
• Malware Crusher tirelessly visits all domains, URLs and web pages to secure your online presence from fraudulent entities. Furthermore, the tool detects the vulnerabilities of online fraudulent entities effortlessly.
• Malware Crusher becomes fiercer in detecting keylogging, remote connections and saving your session data from being recorded.

It is a watchful tool that monitors the cyber world constantly, deeply diagnose viruses and malware, furthermore neutralizes all the threats by writing antimalware code. Malware Crusher's 5-minute function is a savior to prevent and fight against the virus!

You must be wondering whether there are no other methods to fight against the threat.

Then we suggest you to follow the below manual removal guide for general purpose use like uninstalling programs, ending task manager process, etc before you use the antimalware removal tool.

Manually Remove I Love You Virus

• Press Ctrl + Shift + ESC together to open Task Manager. Look for suspicious files, right click on it and click End Task.

• Now, press Windows key + R to open RUN box window. Type appwiz.cpl on it, this opens Programs and Features window.
• Select each suspicious program and uninstall it one by one. Once the uninstallation is complete, restart your computer and again redirect yourself to Programs and Features window to check whether the application is present or not.

• When convinced, press Windows key + R to open RUN box window. Type regedit on it, hit OK and then click Yes.
• Go through HKEY, HKLM, etc. files and find all suspicious files and delete them.

• Delete unwanted extensions from Chrome and Firefox.
  
  • Google Chrome
  • Firefox

  1. Click on the Customize and control menu icon at the top right corner of Google Chrome.

  

  2. Select "More tools" from the menu.

  

  3. Select "Extensions" from the side menu.

  

  4. Click the remove button next to the extension you wish to remove.

  

  5. It will confirm again, click “remove” and the extension is finally out of the system.

  

  Now that we have successfully eliminated the malicious browser extension, we need to create a robust firewall to avoid any such thing that makes our system and privacy vulnerable to various online threats.

  1. Click on the “menu” button at the top right corner.

  

  2. Select “Add-ons” from the menu.

  

  3. Click the “Remove” button next to the extension you wish to get rid of.

  

  Now that we have successfully eliminated the malicious browser extension, we need to create a robust firewall to avoid any such thing that makes our system and privacy vulnerable to various online threats.

The manual method might not work in some instances at Windows OS because it is difficult to find the suspicious and modified registry files. On the other hand, if you delete some useful file, the windows will not work properly.

Moreover, this would take more time and you will need to keep a continuous check on the damages and causes from I Love You Virus.

That’s why we would highly recommend an automatic tool to prevent virus attacks on your computer.

If you want to get more awareness about the happenings of the cyber world related to attacks and security programs, then keep visiting us to get daily updates and notifications.

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