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Memory resident Space eaters

Space eaters are broad category of Malicious programs ( viruses, Trojan horses, worms etc.) coded using several languages such as c++, java, visual basic scripts and others. The unifying design of all these code is, once they gain access into the system create folders, make replica, hide themselves and fill the hard drive until there is no free space left. Futhermore Memory resident type space eaters find a way to allocate memory for hide and reinfect, making themself hard to eradicate. Most of them are harmless except "eating your space " eventhough some of them also open a back door and may download potentially malicious code to get your personal data like credit card information. In order to accomplish this, the viruses must find a way to allocate memory for themselves - find a place to hide. Furthermore, the viruses need to establish a procedure to activate the resident code to infect files. On a PC running DOS or Windows there are two methods a virus may go memory resident. The first, and most often overlooked, method is using the TSR (Terminate-Stay-Resident) interrupt 27h or 21h function 31h. While being the easiest to invoke, this method is also the easiest to notice, which, when virus programming is concerned, being noticed is not always the most desired trait. The second and more popular technique is manipulation of the MCB's or memory control blocks. Finally, in order to activate the resident code, the virus needs to hook certain interrupts. For example, if the virus is to activate every time a program is run, the int 21h function 4bh (load/execute program) interrupt needs to be hooked. An important aspect of a memory resident virus is being able to determine whether or not its code is already resident. If a virus does not perform a check for previous residency installation, the consequences can be disastrous. A residency check is typically accomplished by issuing a bogus interrupt to the interrupt that the virus handles. For example, if the virus hooks int 21h, the virus needs to perform in such a way that a check in the ISR can recognize itself. Many virus writers tend to load AX with an outrageous value and perform an int 21h. The virus ISR would then perform a check of AX when it receives the interrupt. If the virus is already resident, control is passed back to the host. If not, the next instruction in the virus would be to start the infection procedure.

1.The virus gets control of the system.

2. It allocates a block of memory for its own code.

3. It relocates its code to the allocated block of memory.

4. It activates itself in the allocated memory block.

5. It hooks the execution of the code flow to itself.

6. Start replicating and fill the free space.

This is the most typical pattern, but several other methods exist that do not require all of the preceding steps.

Removing the virus These viruses can be difficult to eradicate because even if a user deletes all of the infected files, the virus is still waiting in the memory to infect more files. This also is known as a TSR (terminate-and-stay-resident) program, a DOS term meaning that the program (or virus in this case) runs its routines only. Removing a resident virus which has embedded itself in a computer's memory can be a challenge. The virus may be designed to resist the actions of conventional antivirus software to exploit the software. A specialized virus removal tool may be needed to extract the virus from memory. In some cases, the services of an information technology professional may be needed to completely clear a computer of infection. When a resident virus is identified by an antivirus company or a designer of operating systems, a patch is often released. This may be an update to an antivirus program which allows the program to remove the virus, or it may take the form of a virus removal tool which the computer user can run to get the resident virus out of memory. Seeking out virus fighting tools can be challenging. Unscrupulous people may release programs which claim to fix viruses, but actually load more viruses or other malicious programs such as spyware onto a computer. Computer users should seek out reputable sources of advice and virus removal software such as official websites for operating system manufacturers or antivirus programs. It is wise to get into the habit of checking the browser's address bar to confirm that one is on the right site before starting a download or filling out information. It uses the batch file modify the system registry and executes itself each time system starts up. Simple formatting methods will not erase the virus, since they reside in the memory. Eventhough gaining access to BIOS uncommon, there are possibilities. Once it embedded into BIOS, Flashing of BIOS may required. Conventional Antivirus software (may detect but cannot disinfect) and disc cleaners will not wipe them (usually clean.tmp extension), since these are mimics system process with extension such .bat and .vps. Also These virus exploit the autorun feature of windows and can be found inside the hard disc in different names. Most of this Virus make use of NTFS privilege to prevent them terminating once they in process. Professional employ speacial virus removal tools to terminate the process, with high success rate, also renaming the particular .dll in system root after move the file to another location suggested for terminate some type of viruses.