Explore the latest news and trends  

Sign up for our weekly security newsletter


Be the first to receive important updates on security





Send

Security Experts Fail To Determine Malware Plan

A malicious program is playing pranks through spam, but experts can't make out the intention of its creators. The malware sends mass mailing worm to infect computers running Microsoft's Windows OS, said Mikko Hypponen of F-Secure, a security company in Helsinki. When the user opens the attachment in the e-mail the malware infects the computer and the worm mutates to send them to e-mail addresses stored on the PC. The malicious code then downloads its new versions as fast as every 30 minutes from a group of websites.

Mass mailing worms not only destroy and compromise system data but they are capable of other hazardous actions also. They can suffocate e-mail traffic, consume additional bandwidth and clog mailboxes. Enterprises should plug their entry points and guard against such worms because these can lead to a chain reaction in the internal network. Consequently, the day-to-day business operations can break down.

In the past, when malware created its own variations, the code that created those modifications was inside the malware. Therefore, with the help of a sample, security analysts could assess it and detect potential new versions. The present day hackers compile the code in their program and rapidly make additional versions but analysts have no knowledge how the code is produced.

This is worrisome for 'security software companies' that release special updates to their programs to spot malware. F-Secure alone has designed 150 solutions for the malware. As infected computers seek other domains to obtain updated code, F-Secure has, therefore, made an understanding with 'Internet Service Providers' (ISPs) to close down domains hosting the new variants. Till now, nine of 10 domains have been closed down.
Surprisingly, so far there have been no signs of the malware's tactics on the victims' computers.

According to an estimate, a few hundred thousand computers are affected. Although this is a large number but not enough for large malware problems occurring few years back. The hacker could be preparing to infect enough computers to start a 'denial of service'' attack or deliver spam or give the network on rent to another spammer.

Related article: Securities Push Up A Must For Web Companies

» SPAMfighter News - 11/2/2006

3 simple steps to update drivers on your Windows PCSlow PC? Optimize your Slow PC with SLOW-PCfighter!Email Cluttered with Spam? Free Spam Filter!

Dear Reader

We are happy to see you are reading our IT Security News.

We do believe, that the foundation for a good work environment starts with fast, secure and high performing computers. If you agree, then you should take a look at our Business Solutions to Spam Filter & Antivirus for even the latest version of Exchange Servers - your colleagues will appreciate it!

Go back to previous page
Next