Conficker Worm Strikes Back With New Variant

[Fine Point]

Conficker Worm Strikes Back With New Variant

Erik Larkin

The Conficker/Downadup worm managed to slither onto millions of PCs worldwide at its height, but after it initially infected a computer it only really acted to spread itself, and didn't cause further harm. Until now.

Symantec reports today that it has found a new variant of the virulent worm that will identify antivirus software or security analysis tools running on the infected PC, and attempt to shut down those programs. This is a strong signal that the worm's mysterious creators haven't abandoned their creation in the face of worldwide attention, as some in the industry have theorized, but may still have plans to make a buck off their work.

Vincent Weafer, Vice President, Symantec Security Response, says the company has only seen the new variation as an update that was sent to an existing worm on a honeypot (a machine that's purposely left infected to watch for updates and changes). Symantec hasn't yet seen this functionality in a new worm variant that can spread on its own, Weafer says, but that may be coming.

more @ Conficker Worm Strikes Back With New Variant - PC World

[wizer]

As always, the best defense is to keep your operating systen and antivirus software up to date, and don't click on links on strange websites, or on popup windows in your browser, and don't open up email attachments from senders who you don't know...and even if you do know them, keep in mind that they could be sending you a worm or a virus without even knowing it.