mobileCategory: worms
12/22/05 11:59 - ID#21540
Santa IM worm hits AOL, MSN and Yahoo
A Santa Claus worm is attempting to trick America Online, Microsoft MSN and Yahoo instant-messaging users into clicking on a file that delivers unwanted software to a victim's computer.
The IM.GiftCom.All worm attempts to dupe IM users into thinking an acquaintance has sent them a link to a harmless Santa Claus file, according to a security advisory issued Tuesday by IMlogic.
People who click on the file will see an image of Santa, but what they are less likely to notice is a so-called rootkit being installed onto their system. A rootkit is a tool designed to go undetected by the security software used to lock down control of a computer after an initial hack. The malicious attacker can then distribute messages to the user's IM contacts, using a similar technique to lure the unsuspecting acquaintance to click on the link.
Permalink: Santa_IM_worm_hits_AOL_MSN_and_Yahoo.html
Words: 157
Author Info
Category Cloud
More Entries
After This
My Fav Posts
- This user has zero favorite blogs selected ;(
hiking recovery 
Hummus ? 
Nephew's Art 
Spring Feelz 
Hello hello 
moz://a