Instant messengers spread new worm

[jes]

Instant messengers spread new worm

Kaspersky Lab announced the detection of a new family of computer worms that are spreading via numerous instant messaging clients, from Windows Live to Xfire

[burn]

Strictly speaking it only affects the Windows version of these IM's.

And more reason to use something like Pidgin?

[Jagtiger]

Infection occurs when a user follows what they think is a hyperlink to an interesting picture, which instead leads to a malicious file. The link appears in an instant message sent by an infected machine.

Remember, don't click unknown links/files. Ask beforehand, what is it.
Also, I heard it steals IM accounts and places bot to answer questions, but not so smart.

[kaspaas]

I tried to send a warning link to a friend, and iBurst blocks it.

I know they have an over zealous spamblocker.

If you want reasonable certainty that you will receive ALL your important mail, AVOID iBurst. The False positives is simply beyond acceptability.

********************************************
SMTP error from remote mail server after end of data:
host mail.wbs.co.za [196.2.97.236]: 550-Rejected virus warning, notification or hoax.
550-.
550-[EximConfig-2.5-iburst.co.za-Virus-Warning]
550-.
550-Subject: New Virus via Skype and similar
550-.
550-.Verify: verified-77456-@
550-Contact: helpdesk@iburstgroup.co.za
550-.
550-Sorry, your message has been rejected because
550-it appears to be a virus warning, notification
550-of infection or a hoax.
550-.
550-The majority of these virus warnings are hoaxes
550-and you should never carry out any instructions
550-contained in the message, especially if these
550-involve deleting files or changing settings on
550-your computer.
550-.
550-You should also refrain from forwarding them on to
550-your E-mail contacts because the purpose of most
550-of these hoaxes is to simply clog up E-mail systems
550-with useless messages.
550-.
550-To ensure that you do not become a victim of a
550-real computer virus, please ensure that you are
550

[TelkomUseless]

Remember, don't click unknown links/files. Ask beforehand, what is it.
.

I can only lol that people click on a link in IM that you can clearly see it's not a friend. No greeting etc.

[Jagtiger]

I can only lol that people click on a link in IM that you can clearly see it's not a friend. No greeting etc.

Agree. Some in ICQ community call this virus "Idiot-In-Your-Contact-List-Detected.Win32".

There is another IM virus for ICQ clients.
It sends generic "Hi! Look at that!" message with virus file from anyone in contact list who is infected. Attempt to ask it, infected contact will respond with "It is funny game. ". Then it will stop responding at all or try to protect itself from bot accusations.
If it infects computer, changes password on ICQ contact (making it lost forever) and sends messages throughout contact list.

[NetDude]

Remember, don't click unknown links/files...

Sad to say some are still caught with their pants down! A few guys I know clicked on the "Lady Gaga naked video" on FB a few weeks ago... Malware developers know excatly how to get hot-blooded folks to think with their other "heads" to click on links they would not normally.

[Tpex]

Wow that is a brilliant virus....

[Sharkie]

Wow, if only I was as talented as the developers behinds this nasty worm...

[Mouse]

Strictly speaking it only affects the Windows version of these IM's.

And more reason to use something like Pidgin?

This is one of the reasons I'm quite happy with Linux GNU etc having the small market share they have.
We are effectively going "under the radar" of the big malware writers, since its not worth their effort to target <5% of PC's on the net.
Sadly I still have to dual boot with Windows for PC gaming and work

[Grim147]

that is pretty cool