Mikko Hypponen
Mikko Hypponen
Mikko Hermanni Hyppönenis a computer security expert and columnist...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionScientist
CountryUnited States of America
alarming appears biggest build competing gangs infected network rate three turning virus worms
There appears to be three different virus writing gangs turning out new worms at an alarming rate -- as if they would be competing who would build the biggest network of infected machines.
computers happened running testing virus
As the virus is not new it's 2 years old this could only have happened if those testing computers were not running any anti-virus programs,
bad believe boys fact less people seeing situation targeted virus
We are seeing less of the big virus outbreaks such as Sasser and Blaster, and so some people believe the situation is getting better, when in fact it is getting worse. The bad boys are getting more professional and doing more targeted attacks.
emerge happened mobile sure took viruses
It took 15 years for the first moneymaking viruses to emerge for the PC. On the mobile side, I'm sure it will happen. It just hasn't happened yet.
viruses worked year
I've worked with viruses for 15 years and things have been getting progressively worse. This year is going to be bad.
actively attack block everybody involved knows later lay likely low malicious might rather virus writer
There might be no attack at all. As everybody knows about the attack, the virus writer may lay low and attack at a later date. The ISPs involved can actively block malicious postings. It's more likely the attacker will lay low or be blocked, rather than succeed.
anybody change relatively says trivial understand virus
It's trivial for anybody to understand how it works, ... To modify the virus is relatively easy, and to change what the e-mail says is trivial.
bent change evolution financial gangs operated virus
The most significant change has been the evolution of virus writing hobbyists into criminally operated gangs bent on financial gain.
competing infected latest remove viruses
The latest variants of Bozori even remove competing viruses like Zotob from the infected machines.
attacks buddy click dozens exploits files image messenger people seen send several since spam tries users using worm
We have seen dozens of different attacks using this vulnerability since Dec. 27. One exploits image files and tries to get users to click on them; another is an MSN Messenger worm that will send the worm to people on your buddy list, and we have seen several spam attacks.
cause detect enter hand intended machines nor politics regardless source
We want to detect malware, regardless of its source or purpose. Politics don't even enter the discussion, nor should they. Any malware, even targeted, can get out of hand and cause 'collateral damage' to machines that aren't the intended victim.
check clicking convincing fairly site surfing
Everything would look fairly convincing if they did some surfing to check out the site before clicking on the link. But they would still get burned.
believe blame break cycle everybody found microsoft next patch release soon test wanting widespread worm
Everybody would like to see the patch as soon as possible, but I can't blame Microsoft for wanting to test it thoroughly. However, if a widespread worm is found before next Tuesday, I do believe they will break the cycle and just release the patch.
attacks aware moment
At the moment we are not aware of any attacks that would have used this vulnerability.