Skype worm attempts to steal personal information
Like worms that have attacked MSN Messenger, AOL IM and Yahoo Messenger in the recent past, a worm is currently attacking Skype IM users. From an infected machine, the virus known as either Ramex.a (Skype) or Pykspa.a (McAfee) or Skipi.a shoots messages with a live link to people on the infected machine's Skype contact list. A JPEG image within the message provides a download link to a file with the SCR extension. Recipients who click on the link are then infected.
Once installed, the worm injects bogus entries into the computer's HOSTS file so that security software cannot update itself. The worm may also add applications to the approved programs that work with the Skype list. More sinister, one of the installed programs attempts to steal sensitive information from the infected machine.
Skype users are advised to be wary when opening links sent by instant messaging. Most antivirus programs will now protect Skype users from infection.
As CNET's resident security expert, Robert Vamosi has been interviewed on the BBC, CNN, MSNBC, and other outlets to share his knowledge about the latest online threats and to offer advice on personal and corporate security. Listen to his podcast at securitybites.cnet.com or e-mail Robert with your questions and comments.
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by Dalkorian
September 11, 2007 4:58 PM PDT
- I looked it up, but this article *could* have mentioned the only
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- I'll take a guess
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by laura.brammell-211768554162559
September 13, 2007 11:01 AM PDT
- How about this for a guess -
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(3 Comments)platform this worm is an issue on. Anyone wanna guess?
;-)
You're an ass.
It did occur to you that people who download and run files from someone that they don't know are vulnerable no matter their platform, right? No OS is immune to dumbasses.
And before you get all militant on me about Windows, I use Linux. I just have the sense to know that you are full of crap. Standard arrogance to be expected, of course.