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Internet users are exposed to malware infections on a daily basis, even if they only download files from trusted locations or they explore only secure websites as malicious code can be distributed even via chat or email. This is the case of the AIM virus, which was detected and blocked by only a few select antivirus solutions, so a developer created a dedicated tool entitled AIMFix.

This mass-mailing worm is actually called W32.Aplore@mm and it spreads using IRC, email and AOL Instant Messenger (AIM). It sends an email message containing a specific type of attachment to all the addresses from Outlook's address book.

Whenever this worm detects a connection to IRC or AIM, it sends a web link to whatever channels or chat contacts it finds, referencing an .HTML file dropped on the infected computer. This HTML file displays as a web page and it asks users to run the worm.

After this, it creates randomly-named files on the host computer, making it very hard for the users to manually delete them. AIMFix automates this process, as it scans and removes all suspicious files from the PC, without any additional user input.

In order to run the software, users need to launch the Windows command line window and enter the path to the app. If one does not see an improvement after having run AIMFix on their computer, they are advised to run it in Safe Mode to ensure complete cleaning.

Once the scanning and removal processes are finished, the application displays a detailed list with all the detected and blocked threats, while also urging users to change their email and IM passwords as a safety measure.

To sum up, AIMFix can help users clean their PCs when they got infected with the AIM worm, without requiring any advanced computer skills on their part.