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Anti-virus experts say much-feared internet attack fizzles
New York, Aug 23: A feared internet attack resulting from a fast-spreading computer virus fizzled, as security officials said they contained it by identifying and blocking computers key to coordinating it.
New York, Aug 23: A feared internet attack resulting from a fast-spreading computer virus fizzled, as security officials said they contained it by identifying and blocking computers key to coordinating it.
Instructions written into the latest version of the
"Sobig" virus, which began appearing from Tuesday, called for
infected Windows machines to try to download a programme that,
until the attack began at 2230 IST yesterday, had an unknown
function.
Experts feared the programme could have deleted files, stolen passwords or created rogue e-mail servers for spreading junk e-mail.
But Vincent Weafer, security director with Symantec Security Response, said that when the appointed time came, all the virus did was visit a pornography site.
"There is nothing malicious, just a standard sex site," he said.
The attack began with the virus attempting to reach one of at least 20 computers, mostly in the United States and Canada, to obtain information key to continuing.
Internet addresses written into the virus point to those computers being home machines connected through broadband services such as cable or DSL, said Chris Rouland, vice president for research and development at Internet Security Systems Inc. It was unlikely the machines' owners knew that they were picked as accomplices, he said.
Anti-virus experts identified those computers and persuaded their internet service providers to shut internet access to some of them. Bureau Report
Experts feared the programme could have deleted files, stolen passwords or created rogue e-mail servers for spreading junk e-mail.
But Vincent Weafer, security director with Symantec Security Response, said that when the appointed time came, all the virus did was visit a pornography site.
"There is nothing malicious, just a standard sex site," he said.
The attack began with the virus attempting to reach one of at least 20 computers, mostly in the United States and Canada, to obtain information key to continuing.
Internet addresses written into the virus point to those computers being home machines connected through broadband services such as cable or DSL, said Chris Rouland, vice president for research and development at Internet Security Systems Inc. It was unlikely the machines' owners knew that they were picked as accomplices, he said.
Anti-virus experts identified those computers and persuaded their internet service providers to shut internet access to some of them. Bureau Report