Security news
Security news3 February 2006
Computer virus forces suspension of Russian stock exchange
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| The virus incident caused the Russian Stock Exchange to be suspended. |
Experts at SophosLabs™, Sophos's global network of virus, spyware and spam analysis centers, have reminded organizations of the threat posed by malware as news breaks that the main Russian stock exchange was suspended because of a computer virus.
The virus, which has not been named, is said to have hit late on 2 February, infecting an internet-connected computer and generating a large amount of outgoing email traffic. Legitimate incoming and outcoming email was interrupted by the virus's activities.
"On February 2, 2006, a computer virus attack forced a suspension of trading on the RTS FORTS futures market, classic market and the stock exchange," the Russian Trading System stock exchange said in a statement.
"While all the world was in a frenzy over the Nyxem damp squib, this attack infiltrated the RTS and could have potentially given hackers access to their systems," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos. "A virus which can disrupt a stock exchange can have obvious financial consequences, as well as harm the important credibility of an institution in the public's eye, and this should act as a wake-up call for any business which is not taking the virus threat seriously."
Trading has now resumed at the stock exchange, and experts claim that no data at the exchange has been stolen.
Sophos recommends companies protect their email with a consolidated solution to thwart the virus, spyware and spam threats as well as secure their desktop and servers with automatically updated anti-virus protection.
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About Sophos
Sophos enables enterprises all over the world to secure and control their IT infrastructure. Sophos's network access control, endpoint, web and email solutions simplify security to provide integrated defenses against malware, spyware, intrusions, unwanted applications, spam, policy abuse, data leakage and compliance drift. With over 20 years of experience, Sophos protects over 100 million users in nearly 150 countries with its reliably engineered security solutions and services. Recognized for its high level of customer satisfaction and powerful yet easy-to-use solutions, Sophos has received many industry awards, as well as positive reviews and certifications.
Sophos is headquartered in Boston, US and Oxford, UK. More information is available at www.sophos.com
