A variant of an existing worm is attacking Yahoo Messenger users with impressive speed, security analysts said Tuesday.
Launched May 1 after a Romanian holiday, Yahoo Messenger users in the European nation were prompted to launch the worm on their PCs after receiving an IM believed to be from a Buddy; the emoticon-filled IM includes a photo link which delivers the worm, and then takes over the user's PC to deliver the same link to friends on their Buddy List.
An .exe file is required to be executed in order to run the virus.
The worm, known as Palevo, W32.Ymfocard.fam.Botnet, or W32.Yimfoca depending on antivirus software, spread at an infection rate of 500 percent per hour beginning over the weekend, according to Dark Reading.
The virus is also reported to "install malware, steal files, intercept passwords, and launch span or other malware attacks."
Furthermore, PC users who are infected by the worm may also have infected USB drives connected to the computer at the moment of infection, increasing the opportunity for infecting other computers in the process.
Protect yourself from vulnerabilities by checking with Buddies before clicking any link, and updating your antivirus software.
2 comments:
yes that's right
I also experienced it when one of my friends on the list PM by directing the link "photos  http://space4l.com/image.php
and when we click the link are directed to install in our computer
best antivirus for me so far is NOD32..really damn good
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