28 Jul 2004
Microsoft targeted by MyDoom-piggybacking Zindos worm, Sophos reports
 |
| Microsoft's website is targeted by the Zindos
worm |
The Zindos worm infects computers already compromised by
MyDoom-O, and launches an attack against Microsoft's website
Experts at Sophos believe that the author of the prevalent
W32/MyDoom-O email worm has released another worm called Zindos, designed to
infect those hit by MyDoom-O and launch a denial of service attack
against Microsoft.
The W32/Zindos-A worm spreads via the backdoor opened by the
W32/MyDoom-O worm
released earlier this week, which managed to disrupt access to
Google and other internet search engines.
"Three minutes after a PC is infected by the Zindos worm, it
will begin to launch a denial of service attack against Microsoft's
main website - www.microsoft.com," said Graham Cluley, senior
technology consultant for Sophos. "All computer users have a
responsibility to ensure their PCs are secured with up-to-date
anti-virus and firewall protection to ensure they are not
unknowingly collaborating with the virus writer's illegal
activity."
It is not the first time the author of MyDoom has targeted the
Microsoft website. In January and February of this year the
MyDoom-B and
MyDoom-F worm
variants launched separate attacks against www.microsoft.com.
Microsoft has issued a $250,000
reward for information leading to the conviction of MyDoom's
author.
"For whatever reason, the person behind the MyDoom worm really
doesn't like Microsoft," continued Cluley.
Sophos continues to recommend computer users practise safe computing as well as running
up-to-date anti-virus software.
About Sophos
More than 100 million users in 150 countries rely on Sophos as the best protection against complex threats and data loss. Sophos is committed to providing security and data protection solutions that are simple to manage, deploy and use and that deliver the industry's lowest total cost of ownership. Sophos offers award-winning encryption, endpoint security, web, email, and network access control solutions backed by SophosLabs - a global network of threat intelligence centers. With more than two decades of experience, Sophos is regarded as a leader in security and data protection by top analyst firms and has received many industry awards.
Sophos is headquartered in Boston, US and Oxford, UK. More information is available at www.sophos.com.