Fergie's Tech Blog

ISPs to Blame for New Worm Affecting MSN Users

Liam Tung writes on ZDNet Australia:

ISPs could kill a new worm that is spreading rapidly via MSN Messenger, according to security experts.

The worm, called Backdoor.IRCBot.gen, spreads by sending file transfer requests to a victim's contact list. Once accepted, a malicious file is executed on the recipients’ computer, which gives criminals control of the infected computer.

Experts say that in most cases, IM worms send files to all the user's contacts without their knowledge and the only way to verify the authenticity of the file is to check with the person who is supposed to have sent it.

James Turner, security consultant for Australian-based research firm IBRS, claims ISPs could stop the worm if they tried.

posted by Fergie @ 8/02/2007 01:24:00 PM