Bitdefender brings tool to eradicate Flamer espionage virus

Bitdefender has released a tool that finds and removes the Flamer attack toolkit, known as the dangerous spy tool yet discovered. Flamer (or Flame) as we have known it) is called the Skywiper, and capable of stealing data, copying passwords, recording voice conversations, creating screen captures, and even probing Bluetooth devices near the infected computer. It can even spread through local networks or through removable drives like USB drives.

"Flamer is the scariest cyber espionage tool we've yet seen. It goes places where other spyware doesn't go, retrieves information others don't retrieve, and ensures the infected computer has no privacy whatsoever,"said Catalin Cosoi, Chief Security Researcher at Bitdefender. "Luckily, the Bitdefender removal tool makes it easy to eliminate from your computer."

Bitdefender tool to eradicate Flamer

Flamer is not a single spy tool and is said to be an entire toolbox. In file size, it is the biggest attack tool yet. The sheer size of it means researchers are likely to be still analyzing Flamer for weeks to discover all of its functions.

"Flamer is the scariest cyber espionage tool we've yet seen. It goes places where other spyware doesn't go, retrieves information others don't retrieve, and ensures the infected computer has no privacy whatsoever. Luckily, the Bitdefender removal tool makes it easy to eliminate from your computer."

The Flame virus was identified only recently by the Kaspersky Labs. The virus is capable of copying whatever you enter on the keyboard and view on the computer screen. On infecting a system, Flame begins with its set of complex operations, which is inclusive of sniffing the network traffic, taking screenshots, recording audio conversations, intercepting the keyboard, and even monitoring the display. The information is then sent to a network of command-and-control servers located in many different parts of the world.

This virus is said to be the most sophisticated ever. Detected in the Middle East countries, it is believed to be government funded. Microsoft had earlier said that the virus exploits a Windows Bug and disguises itself as a genuine Windows program. Microsoft even released a fix and ensured to further tighten its security. However, though Microsoft has released software to fix the bug through its Windows Update system, security experts believe that systems that are infected with advanced viruses many not really benefit from the software update.