Sudoku Game Installs
Spyware on Computers

Several web pages, mainly with pornographic or illegal content, are downloading spyware programs onto computers without the consent of the sites’ visitors. These web pages are designed to exploit different software vulnerabilities to automatically install malware on systems.

One of these programs is particularly dangerous due to its enticing bait: a sudoku puzzle. The application operates perfectly, allowing users to play the game. However, without the users knowledge, it downloads a spyware program, YazzleSudoku, every time the user opens the application.

Once YazzleSudoku is installed on a computer, it creates several Windows registry entries to ensure that it remains active. It also generates a series of files with names such as RL_SudokuInstaller.rar.lnk or Yazzle Sudoku. Then, YazzleSudoku displays advertising messages on the screen.

When starting to play the game, users are warned that spyware will be installed. If the user agrees, the spyware will be installed on the computer, otherwise they will not be able to use the game.

According to Luis Corrons, director of PandaLabs: “Spyware is, without a doubt, one of the major threats to users. This type of malware clearly conforms to the current objective of malware creators: earning money. Nevertheless, as the effects of spyware are not particularly obvious and do not appear to be dangerous, many users do not treat spyware with the caution needed. This is a mistake, as spyware does not just slow down systems and cause errors – it also intrudes upon the privacy of users who should not consent to its installation.”

To prevent computers from being affected by this or other spyware infection, a security solution such as TruPreventTM,. should be used to proactively detect malware without need for updates. Users should be cautious when downloading unknown programs. For further information about this threat, visit http://www.pandasoftware.com/