Worm.Folstart.A

Worm.Folstart.A is a computer worm that can spread from one system to another via removable storage devices, and even though it does not infect the system files directly, it can modify various system settings to the hackers’ liking. The worm does not announce of its installation, so there is no other way to notice it, but to monitor your computer’s behavior and take note whether something is off. Also, upon its installation Worm.Folstart.A creates a file called “update.exe” . When the worm is running, the file will appear in Windows Task Manager, and an acute user can check whether update.exe in Task Manager is located at location %APPDATA%\Start\update.exe or not. If so, then Worm.Folstart.A is definitely wriggling in your system.

The most common way for Worm.Folstart.A to spread is the exploitation of removable storage strives. In order to do that, the worm queries a particular registry entry to check whether there are any USB devices connected to the computer. Once a device is found, Worm.Folstart.A searches the drive for any folders that might be there and copies itself into the folder, using the folder’s name, without any extension. It even copies the icon of the folder, so when a user opens the device and sees the icon, he executes Worm.Folstart.A thinking it’s a simple folder.

Once the worm is installed, it changes the system settings in a way that hidden files are no longer shown in Windows Explorer. It also hides file extensions and hidden operating system files. In a sense, it might seem that Worm.Folstart.A is not as dangerous as rogues or Trojans, but in the long run the worm can totally disrupt your system’s performance and even allow other malware to enter your computer, turning your machine into a complete zombie.

Removing Worm.Folstart.A on your own can present a little bit of a problem, because only computer experts should tamper with manual malware removal. You are advised to erase Worm.Folstart.A automatically with a computer safeguard program of choice. Once the worm is gone, the program will also protect your system against similar infections.