Computer worm targets Microsoft web site
Washington-AP -- A new computer worm is spreading over the Internet with the potential to cause serious damage. It exploits an unusually dangerous flaw in all Windows software. The worm commandeers computers and will try to use them Saturday to flood a Microsoft Web site.
That Web site -- windowsupdate-dot-com -- is where people can get software patches to block such infections.
There's no firm word yet how many computers or systems have been infected. But Alfred Huger (HEW'-gur) of the computer security firm Symantec says it appears to be well into the tens of thousands.
Huger says at the moment, the worm is not configured to damage data. But he warns, "there's nothing stopping somebody from modifying this particular worm to do just that."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
|
