Dropper (malware)

This article is about computer program. For piece of glassware used to transfer fluids, see Pasteur pipette.

A Dropper is a program that has been designed or modified to "install" some sort of malware (virus, backdoor, etc) onto the target system. The malware code can be contained within the Dropper (single stage) in such a way as to avoid detection by virus scanners or the Dropper may download the malware to the target machine once activated (two stage).

There are two major types of Droppers, Those that do not require user interaction which perform through the exploitation of a system by some vulnerability and those that require user interaction by convincing the user that it is some legitimate or benign program. A Dropper which installs a malware program to memory only is sometimes called an "injector".

Examples

• YAB: Yet Another Binder

So far, all that people can find on Dropper's is a "Malware" signature on the dropper itself. Finding where the virus it has planted is another thing.