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Hacker Created Worm Targets Instant Messaging Networks

Hackers have produced the first worm aiming Skype, that's also adept over other instant messengers, like ICQ and MSN.

The unidentified worm masquerades as a chatting message of a site, like the other Skype- propagating malware prior to it. This malevolent site carries a .pif file that masquerades as " pictures ".

The latest unidentified worm, a Stration worm variation, which utilizes Skype as a launch pad, was detected by Chris Boyd of Facetime Communications. "The invasion confirms the database for proof of programs such as AIM, ICQ, Miranda, Trillian, and Yahoo Messenger, - but, to date we've only witnessed fire, the first instant messaging client that can access ICQ and MSN," pens Boyd, as reported by Theregister.co on May 24, 2007.

As per Boyd the individuals who unleashed the new Stration worm last year may be accountable for the latest strain as well.

Those deceived by this simple ploy will find themselves affected by the Stration worm, a bulk mailer that frustrates all efforts to eliminate it by impeding entrée to security-linked sites, and malwares. Messaging window of the client is covered with connections directing to a site marked for spam dealings, like marketing Viagra pills.

IM worms have circulated across networks before, but never before has Boyd witnessed a worm leap from Skype to some other network.

"A extraordinary system has been created, especially since these people have an interest in the Skype network. You believe they'd concentrate all their forces on using Skype," stated Boyd, according to May 24, 2007 reports by Computerworld.

Stration is not rampant and regarded as a low-risk contamination, however it has really been a difficult worm to combat for several security purveyors. In the last one year it has transmuted into innumerable strains, and the anti-virus firms have been having great difficulty in tailing its numerous variants. Stration worm is also called "Warezov" and "Stratio."

"The attack seems to be aimed at Skype due to its transfer mechanism for transmitted messages, but the possibility for the contamination to jump across different networks is evidently there," as reported by May 24, 2007 edition of Theregister.co.

Related article: Hacker & Virus in MySpace

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