The computer giant IBM has warned their customers to avoid using the USB sticks sent with their purchase of the Storwize storage system. The USB’s may contain a malware, IBM warned.
According to IBM, a number of the flash drives that have Storwize drivers for their versions V3500, V3700 and V5000 Generation One system may be infected with malicious code.
The infected flash drives were sent with the serial number 01AC585 written on them. The company has requested its customers to destroy the drives.
Cyber security firm Kaspersky Lab stated that the malicious code has branches from the Reconyc Trojan malware family, and are known for targeting systems located mainly in India and Russia.
However, Kaspersky Lab also discovered that this malware has spread quickly across the international community.
The cyber security firm also discussed how the malicious Trojan shipped in the flash drives gets into the user’s system via the Storwize installation wizard.
If you are using this on your Windows machine, the malicious code can be found in the temporary folder %TMP%\initTool. If you use the OSX or Linux-based systems, then the code can be found in /tmp/initTool.
IBM told its customers that the Trojan is not executed during the formatting of sectors where the operating system can access them to set a start position.
The tech giant further stated that neither the Storwize systems nor its data are harmed by the malicious program.
Phew! That was Easy
In order to rid yourself of the bad code, the company suggested that users should install antivirus software on the infected systems. Alternatively, if you prefer to avoid the hassle of installing an antivirus program, simply go to the temporary files listed above and delete those directories.
Windows users note: Special instructions — when you find the temporary directories, delete the entire folder. Clicking on it once while holding down the Shift and Delete keys on your keyboard will permanently delete the folder without sending the directory to the Recycle Bin.
It’s Still Lying Around
For those lucky people who haven’t used it yet, and it’s still with them, IBM advises that you destroy the USB.
If you prefer not to destroy the USB, you’ll need to find and permanently delete the folder called ‘InitTool’ that is found on the flash drive.
You can also download the Initialization tool package from IBM’s website: https://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral.
If you have an antivirus installed on your system, scan the flash drive so it can detect and destroy any malicious code. Once done, fix the bad sectors on the flash drive and then fragment it. This will help ensure that the virus is completely destroyed.
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