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Tricky Windows Worm Spreads to 9 Million PCs
Remember this nasty worm with multiple-personality disorder we reported on last week? Well, apparently, it is still spreading, and is now responsible for an estimated nine million infected computers! So far it hasn't done anything especially nasty, beyond finding its way onto machines, but that doesn't mean you want it lurking on yours!
Security experts at F-Secure believe the piece of malware may not be acting as the hackers who designed it intended. The firm believes that the worm was meant to give false alerts saying that malicious software had been discovered on a user's PC and then encourage that user to buy fake anti-virus software. So far, this behavior hasn't been seen, but that doesn't mean that Conficker, Downadup, Kido -- whatever it wants to call itself -- isn't leaving open a back door for hackers to steal passwords and other personal information.
Microsoft has already released a patch to battle the worm, however one of its effects is to disable automatic updates on infected machines. So head to WindowsUpdate.com, if you haven't already, to make sure you get this latest patch! [From: FOXNews.com]
Celebrity Hackings
In 2007, a hack on 'Hills' star Heidi Montag's Web site claimed that she and Spencer Pratt spread the false rumors of an alleged Lauren Conrad sex tape.
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Over the course of the 2008 presidential race, both the Obama and McCain campaigns fell victim to foreign hackers, Newsweek revealed after the election. Before the FBI and White House became aware of the breach, the cyber bandits had made off with sensitive policy positions, officials believed.
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In 2007, somebody hacked Carrie Underwood's MySpace page, turning it into a spam-spewing ringtone promotion. For some reason, we find this one hysterical, and somewhat fitting.
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In 2007, hackers got hold of Alicia Keys' MySpace page, turning it into a multi-pronged viral attack. Visitors were attacked by spyware through fake video prompts, bogus links and, as if that weren't enough, simply by visiting the site itself.
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Just Tuesday, a hacker posted the following on Britney Spears' Twitter page: "Hi Yall! Brit Brit here, just wanted to update you all on the size of my vagina. It's about 4 feet wide with razor sharp teeth." Yeesh.
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Reality show personality Shanna Moakler posted the contact information of Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton on her MySpace page in 2007. According to Moakler, she was simply seeking vengeance on the pair, who she was convinced were responsible for posting her own information on MySpace.
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After Madonna uploaded an MP3 of herself saying, "What the f--- do you think you're doing?" on various file-trading services, somebody hacked their way into the singer's Web site. There, the individual posted unreleased songs from Madonna's forthcoming album 'American Life' with a simple message: "This is what the f--- I think I'm doing."
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Comments
27
Subscribe to commentsFrankJan 20th 2009 3:12PM
When the cops track down these low lifes who generate a virus or worm,as they most likely will...the perps should be put in stocks on the courthouse lawn and publicly flogged..and THEN jail them for a mandatory 10 years. An impression needs to be made on jerks like those.
MartinJan 20th 2009 5:09PM
I totally agree with Frank. I just paid over $200 to get that _____ virus off my computer, i know i should have backed up my most recent work but as most people don't i didn't. System restore coule not be used with the malware and spyware virus i had. When you have your family photo's and video on a computer it becomes more than just a computer, it's like part of the family. That's why i would like to be the one giving the flogging to the one or ones who made up this ____ virus.
JimJan 20th 2009 7:52PM
You do know that hackers and people who create worms, viruses, trojans, etc do get employed by the government. They help make better secruity programs so the government can protect its computers so terrorists can't control the FAA, our energy grid, water supply, etc.
alJan 20th 2009 3:16PM
System restore to an earlyer date will remove it.
I did it and it's gone now.
What balls these low lifes have!
mo9ernieJan 20th 2009 3:57PM
Should just buy Macs! Their operating system is built to prevent such attacks!
TheAngryGamerJan 20th 2009 4:05PM
Wrong, wrong, wrong.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12/02/apple_mac_av_advice/
dpil1Jan 20th 2009 9:41PM
mo9ernie dont u know anything oss are programmed not built second the mac oss are actually more vulnerable than pc oss but since macs suck not many people have them so peopl tha have the gift to make viruses target the majority more people with problems = more mayhem
JohnJan 20th 2009 3:52PM
It got me on my work PC. I went online to purchase the anti virus software and within 30 seconds Home Depot's Fraud Dept was calling me at work asking if I was making several purchases of 29.99 someplace in Germany. Home Depot had to cancel my card and re-issue another one.
dpil1Jan 20th 2009 9:31PM
john u obviously don't know a thing about comps mac oss are not "built" more like programed to withstand viruses its that since macs suck not as many people have them so people that have the gift to create mayhem like this don't target the minority.
jimmyJan 20th 2009 4:01PM
System restore is the safety valve!
TerryJJan 20th 2009 4:09PM
Viruses, gimme a break. No wonder more people are waking up and buying Macs. When you are serious about getting a quality system, there is no better option. The fact that these viruses keep killing all those Windows boxes just proves how flawed the system is.
NadiaJan 20th 2009 7:51PM
Mac's are not protected from viruses. Let's get that straight. If hackers decided that they wanted to attack Leopard they could. They just prefer the masses, which is windows based. I own both OS's.
dpil1Jan 20th 2009 9:47PM
dont u know anything oss are programmed not built second
the mac oss are actually more vulnerable than pc oss but since macs
suck not many people have them so peopl tha have the gift to make
viruses target the majority more people with problems = more mayhem stupid mac lovers so thickheaded
BILLJan 20th 2009 4:25PM
HANG EM HIGH. YES, JUST HANG THEM.
MENDEXJan 20th 2009 8:23PM
Hang them is Ok but MIcrosoft is 50% guilty.
Have you notice 99.9% of virus production targets windows? why is so hard to set a virus in operative systems different than Windows? Why Microsoft can't make a secure system like Linux or OS MAC?
Hacker plays just MS wants that´s a part of Microsoft Corp. business and policy. Any Windows update is a guarantee (to control any computer using Windows.
Do you want a clean computer? ---> Never use Internet Explorer again (Try any browser) ---> keep away Google, Gmail, Yahoo or MS-Messenger ---> Delete browser cache, history and internet temp files after navigation ---> Update your anti virus every day.
And you, hacker guys why to keep wasting your talent and time? Would you please create a worm to block computers virtual ports to keep MS control away as well as our privacy? Can you imagine Bill Gates' nose after a slamming it with his own door?
Stop screwing decent people please!
mikemaj82Jan 20th 2009 5:25PM
Umm the only reason you don't hear about virus attacks on MACs is because not enough people have them for hackers to even consider wasting their time developing viruses for them. The majority of computer users are PC users. MACs are just as susceptible to hackers as PCs, but no one cares enough to even bother (yet)
execk2Jan 20th 2009 5:46PM
Total BS, the Apple architecture is not based on making DOS look like Apple OS. Mac is a much safer and cleaner base system. That is the main reason. It's always the same comment, not enough Mac users to make it worthwhile for hacker. Come on, think about that statement, hackers don't care, they go for the easy open door. That is always on Windows and Outlook aps.... Get a Mac and you'll be fine.
mikemaj82Jan 20th 2009 7:46PM
What? Would you bother investing in something that gets you nothing?
ipaJan 20th 2009 7:59PM
execk2, so you rather go against the pros that says their systems can be subject to hacker attacks and tell everyone something that is baseless? I have both a mac and a windows XP machine. I've used a MAC since the early 90's and I'm sorry to say that they experienced much trouble with their OS's crashing consistently. I'm not for windows either but I say both could use some type of work or other.
execk2Jan 20th 2009 5:42PM
Buy a Mac get over it Windows users...