"CoolNow" worm attacks MSN messenger users. (Security).A new Internet See Web 2.0 and Internet2. worm by the name of "CollNow" infects computers upon visiting malicious Web-sites and spreads using the popular MSN Messenger Microsoft's instant messaging (IM) service, which provides text messaging and voice calling. Part of the MSN Network, MSN Messenger clients are available for non-XP versions of Windows, Mac, Pocket PC and MSN TV. For Windows XP, the IM client is Windows Messenger. Intern-pager. At this time, several incidents of infection by this malicious code have already been reported. A malicious person initially places "CollNow' on an anonymous Web-site and performs an advertising campaign (either via e-mail or any other means) to attract users. Upon visiting this site, a malicious Java-script is executed, which uses the "Frame Domain' security breach in Internet Explorer Microsoft's Web browser, which comes with Windows starting with Windows 98. Commonly called "IE," versions for Mac and Unix are also available. Internet Explorer is the most widely used Web browser on the market. It has also been the browser engine in AOL's Internet access software. to imperceptibly infect the target computer. Then "CoolNow" gains access to the MSN Messenger and, on behalf of the computer owner, sends to all the recipients from the address book an invitation to visit the malicious Web-sit. Up to date 7 modifications of the worm have been detected using different Web-sites. Currently these are in the process of being eliminated to prevent the worm from spreading further. However, the original 'CollNow" code can be easily modified and lin ked to newly opened Web-sites. Users should urgently update their anti-virus software anti-virus software n → Antivirensoftware f and install Internet Explorer security patch A fix to a program that eliminates a vulnerability exploited by malicious hackers. See vulnerability and patch. available from Microsoft. This will ensure that not only current but also future versions of the worm will not be able to infect the PC. www.kaspersky.com |
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