In a case of not making a bad situation worse, Microsoft has decided not to provide a security patch for the latest Alureon rootkit virus spreading on PCs and laptops running Windows XP.
Microsoft has made the decision as previous updates released in February this year resulted in infected machines crashing endlessly.
Rootkit malware hides itself within the Windows OS to avoid being detected.
It then works in the background collecting user information such as passwords, and entered credit card details, and can even facilitate backdoor hacker entrance into infected machines.
Microsoft's most recent patch release has been specifically designed not to install on rootkit infected machines.
“Abnormal conditions on a system could be the result of an infection with a computer virus that modifies some operating system files, which renders the infected computer incompatible with the kernel update,” Microsoft said in its latest security bulletin FAQ section.
By not releasing a patch for the rootkit, Microsoft is looking to ensure Windows XP users trust security downloads to not crash their computers.
The software giant isn't entirely throwing its hands in the air though, recommending that infected users download its malware removal tools, or use a third party removal tool, from providers such as AVG, F-Secure, McAfee or Trend Micro.
Are you a concerned Windows XP user? Leave us a comment and let us know.
7 thoughts on “Microsoft Will Not Patch RootKit Virus Infected Windows XP PCs”
I have a dwith xp that is trying to get me to buy some virus remover and won’t let me do anything else. It looks real, but i believe it is malware acting like a virus. what do you recomend I use to remove it?
I had the same,it disabled AVG and tried to download a new virus prog.I unplugged the lan from the router and tried to clean up with stuff downloaded with my laptop this seemed to work but when I restarted XP it had lost something important, out came the recovery disc, fresh install later all is well.
TO ART GAGE (and others). First, check whether the fake anti-malware program is known:
http://rogueantispyware.blogspot.com/
If the fake anti-malware program identifies itself by a name as most of them do, enter into the search box on the left of the bar across the displayed page. If the “rogue” is known to Sunbelt Software, then their VIPRE anti-malware program will remove it (30-day free trial, not crippleware).
Quote: “By not releasing a patch for the rootkit, Microsoft is looking to ensure Windows XP users trust security downloads to not crash their computers.”
That also means that the Aleurion rootkit can continue to exploit the unpatched vulnerability in Windows XP that it uses to infect the computer system. Microsoft’s excuse is a rather sad commentary on the constant stream of vulnerabilities which have been discovered, and only a few of which have actually been patched, in Windows XP in particular.
I have had success removing the Alureon Rootkit as have others and hopefully this post will help others with same problem:
http://biggeekdad.com/2010/03/google-redirect-virus-tdl3-rootkit/
Agree with Stardance on Microsoft’s excuse for not patching XP for the Aleurion rootkit. Weak at best. There are probably many XP users who are totally unaware of such vulnerabilities, who are infected and don’t even know it.
So… with Microsoft dropping support of Windows XP soon (one way to force everyone to upgrade to Windows 7, which I don’t like – just saying), I am contemplating switching operating systems. The only problem is which one to choose? There are so many choices now. It’s a jungle out there. Any suggestions?
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