Akonix Security Center Identifies New IM Worm With International Attacking Capabilities; Latest Virus Indicates the Advanced and Inventive Methods Now in Use by Virus Writers.SAN DIEGO San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. -- Akonix Systems, Inc. today identified a new variant of the Kelvir instant messaging Exchanging text messages in real time between two or more people logged into a particular instant messaging (IM) service. Instant messaging is more interactive than e-mail because messages are sent immediately, whereas e-mail messages can be queued up in a mail server for seconds or (IM) worm named Kelvir.HI, propagating over a leading public IM network. This is the first worm ever identified that intelligently checks the system settings of an IM client and sends a message in the appropriate language. The Akonix Security Center classified the worm as low risk and immediately used the industry's only real-time IM malware (MALicious softWARE) Software designed to destroy, aggravate and otherwise make life unhappy. See crimeware, virus, worm, logic bomb, macro virus and Trojan. , SPIM (SPam Instant Messaging) Unsolicited advertising appearing in instant messages. SPIM is even more annoying than spam. Unlike e-mail ads, which can often be relegated to a junk folder in the user's e-mail program, a SPIM ad pops up on screen whenever it is sent. and protocol update system to automatically push updates to customers for protection against this threat. DESCRIPTION: Kelvir.HI works by downloading a copy of the previous W32.Spybot worm For the antispyware program, see . The Spybot worm is actually a large family of computer worms of varying characteristics. Although the actual number of versions is unknown, it is estimated to be well into the thousands. and tracking down the default language, sending a message in either English, Spanish, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Swedish, Italian, Portuguese or Turkish. Once users click on the link in the message, a copy of the Spybot worm is automatically downloaded to their computer. Spybot is a backdoor See trapdoor. program that, among other malicious activity, can end security applications, log keystrokes and receive remote commands. To learn more about the Kelvir.HI worm, please visit the Akonix Security Center at http://www.imsecuritycenter.com. PREVENTION: For Akonix L7 Enterprise customers, systems are automatically configured con·fig·ure tr.v. con·fig·ured, con·fig·ur·ing, con·fig·ures To design, arrange, set up, or shape with a view to specific applications or uses: to download and install the latest updates to the Akonix SPIM & Malware Filter, and no IT intervention is required. Akonix L7 Enterprise is the industry's only IM security system that combines dynamically updated IM security policies and integrated anti-virus scanning to provide the most comprehensive protection for corporate networks from IM-based attacks. For other organizations, it's recommended to ensure all desktop computers are updated with the latest security patches A fix to a program that eliminates a vulnerability exploited by malicious hackers. See vulnerability and patch. , and that all public IM use is appropriately blocked or managed. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Akonix Security Center experts are available to comment on the Kelvir.HI worm and other real-time security risks. Representatives are able to discuss the rise in IM threats during 2005, based on the increased use of IM for business critical communications. Akonix recently released its July 2005 IM Threat Watch report, which tracked 42 new enterprise threats targeting IM systems, a 24% increase over the previous month. To receive a copy of the report, please email akonix@lewispr.com. For more information about the Akonix Security Center, or to sign up for IM security alerts, please visit www.imsecuritycenter.com. |
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