Hackers Pass Out New Software for Attacks

[Khephra]

WASHINGTON -- Security researchers on Tuesday detected hackers distributing software to break into computers using flaws announced last week in some versions of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows operating system.

The threat from this new vulnerability -- which already has drawn stern warnings from the Homeland Security Department -- is remarkably similar to one that allowed the Blaster virus to infect hundreds of thousands of computers last month.

The discovery gives fresh impetus for tens of millions of Windows users -- inside corporations and in their homes -- to immediately apply a free repairing patch from Microsoft. Homeland Security officials have warned that attacks could result in a "significant impact" on the operation of the Internet.

Researchers from iDefense Inc. of Reston, Va., who found the new attack software being distributed from a Chinese Web site, said it was already being used to break into vulnerable computers and implant eavesdropping programs. They said they expect widespread attacks similar to the Blaster infection within days.

more

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-internet-attack,0,831747.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[SpiralHawk]

1. Just peachy

Some small solace in owning an aged Mac Powerbook -- but this news sucks all the same.

[scottxyz]

2. I recommend ZoneAlarm

If you are on the web a lot, it is important to have a "firewall" to prevent other computers from messing with your computer.

I recommend the free program called ZoneAlarm. It is a simple firewall that alerts you when a remote program is attempting to access your machine via the Internet, and prevents the remote program from doing anything to your machine.

I installed ZoneAlarm after removing the Blaster virus back in August. I was amazed at the number of "pings" (queries from remote computers) that my machine was constantly being barraged with! ZoneAlarm notified me every time a "ping" happened, and blocked the remote computer from touching my machine. (After a while, I shut the notification off, so ZA protected my machine silently.)

You can download a free version of ZoneAlarm from www.zonelabs.com - it isn't a giant program, so I was able to download it over my dialup connection.

[tweekinnow]

3. nuff sed

On the Net:

Products Affected by This Update
Windows NT® 4.0
Windows 2000
Windows XP
Windows Server™ 2003

Products Not Affected by This Update
Windows Millennium (Windows Me)
Note Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition (SE), and Windows 95 also are not affected by this issue. However, these products are no longer supported. Users of these products are strongly encouraged to upgrade to later versions.



Microsoft warning:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms03-039.asp

[moof]

4. when is anyone/everyone gonna sue gates

& while they are at it sue him for that Y2K farce as well.

[Voltaire99]

5. Interesting how HomeSec has morphed into M$ tech support...

Oour tax dollars at work. *Sigh.*

[Robbien]

6. How many of us think these crackers

have not noticed there is a voting system out there, vunerable and can be played with?

[htuttle]

7. Well, if the election is won..

...by a candidate named '3l1t3 D00d', then we'll know for certain that they've discovered it.