EXPLORE.EXE

File Behavior

EXPLORE.EXE has been seen to perform the following behavior:

• Adds a Registry Key (RUN) to auto start Programs on system start up
• This process creates other processes on disk
• Writes to another Process's Virtual Memory (Process Hijacking)
• This Process Deletes Other Processes From Disk
• Executes a Process
• Registers a Dynamic Link Library File
• Copies files
• Injects code into other processes
• Performs DNS look ups to resolve URL IP addresses
• Looks at the contents of the autoexec.bat file
• Reads email address and phone book details
• Uses DNS to retrieve the IP address for web sites
• Sets processes to start during user logon
• Creates a new Background Service on the machine
• The Process is packed and/or encrypted using a software packing process
• Found on infected systems and resists interrogation by security products
• Automatically changes your firewall settings to allow itself or other programs to communicate over the internet
• Can communicate with other computer systems using HTTP protocols
• Hooks the WININET.DLL function allowing it to read or copy Http and Https web page content and session information
• Creates new folders on the system
• Downloads program file(s) and other content from the web
• Modifies firewall settings, without user permission so it is not blocked from accessing the Internet
• Disables the Windows Built in Firewall enabling rogue processes to access the internet without your knowledge or permission
• Modifies the Windows Host File which could be used to stop you visiting specific web sites by redirecting you to alternative addresses without you knowing
• Disables Access to the Task Manager built into Windows
• Modifies Windows Security Policies to restrict/expand User Privileges on the machine

EXPLORE.EXE has been the subject of the following behavior:

• Created as a process on disk
• Executed from Temporary Folders
• Has code inserted into its Virtual Memory space by other programs
• Added as a Registry auto start to load Program on Boot up
• Executed as a Process
• Deleted as a process from disk
• Terminated as a Process
• Registered as a Dynamic Link Library File
• Copied to multiple locations on the system
• Created as a new Background Service on the machine