Viruses/Worms News

Conficker worm updated to spread scareware

Friday, April 10, 2009

Web security experts have spotted a new variant of the Conficker computer worm they say has begun downloading additional software on infected PCs, including a new rogue anti virus product.

Experts said the new variant, Conficker.E, is designed to update the .C variant that went live on April 1, rather than the original .A version that first showed up late last year.

Not everyone agrees that the malicious code being detected belongs to Conficker, according to InformationWeek. Some security experts believe the new variant is more closely associated with the Waledac worm.

The Washington Post reported that the .E variant sets up a web server on the infected system that re-enables the worm to spread itself through the Microsoft Windows vulnerability that caused the outbreak.

The update also instructs the Waledac component to remove itself if the date is on or after May 3, 2009, according to security researchers, the Post reported.

One security expert told the Post that the scareware update means the cybercriminals responsible for the worm are getting around to trying to make some money from all of their work.

"There are still some unknowns here, but things are becoming a lot more clear," the expert said, according to the Post. "[I]t certainly seems they're making a move here to finally monetize all this effort."
ADNFCR-1765-ID-19118145-ADNFCR

Related News:

Researchers: Malware attackers reloading for Windows 7 assaults - 11.20.2009
A report issued yesterday by computer security firm Symantec says that hackers are undoubtedly reworking their malicious software to target Windows 7 as more users switch to the latest version of Microsoft's flagship OS.

Want to secure your iPhone against intruders? There's an app for that - 11.20.2009
Cisco Systems today released a free iPhone app that will allow users to receive security updates and the latest news on web threats, as well as aggregating additional security related content for iPhone users.

Microsoft says 64-bit versions of Windows are harder to infect - 11.19.2009
Members of Microsoft's security team write that 64-bit editions of Windows are much less susceptible to malware attacks, but outside experts caution that 64-bit malware could be the next big thing in cyber crime.

Google coming down hard on malicious advertisers - 11.18.2009
Search giant Google has said that it will lay down the law where scam artists and malvertisers are concerned: Permanent bans will be the result of any fraudulent activity on the company's AdWords service.

If at first you don't succeed: Most malware protection fails first round of certification testing - 11.17.2009
A study performed by security testing and research firm ICSA Labs says that almost four out of five computer security products fail their first certification tests and need to be retooled for a second and sometimes a third attempt.

View Related Resources
Or
Watch an Online Demo
Or
Have us call you now