MSBlaster Windows worm wriggles through net

A Windows worm has found yet another way to wriggle through a security hole in many computers running certain versions of Microsoft Windows.

The MSBlaster worm currently loose on the world-wide web looks set to swamp some internet connections as it probes machines vulnerable to attack. The malicious worm programme will also attempt to attack the Microsoft website that holds a vital downloadable software patch that can block the worm on vulnerable computers.

Computer security experts warn that the MS Blaster worm could infect thousands of computers by exploiting a vulnerability in Windows 2000 and Windows XP that has been known for over a month.

Despite flaws in the worm’s code, its threat category has been elevated to a ‘potentially severe’ threat based on the potential of the malicious code to cause damage, the rate at which it can be spread, and the likelihood of it infecting systems.

The worm can cause system instability and compromises security settings on the infected computer. It may also cause other computers on a shared network to crash due to increased activity and the likelihood of sending incorrect code. The worm will also attempt to execute a denial of service (DoS) attack on Windows Update after August 14.

According to antivirus program company Symantec the virus code includes, but never displays, the text: “Billy Gates why do you make this possible? Stop making money and fix your software!!”

Computer users and systems administrators have been advised to patch Windows regularly, systems check, keep their antivirus program’s database updated, and if necessary download to appropriate tools to delete malicious code if it is present on their system.

(SP)