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Thursday, August 14, 2003
Internet worm targets Microsoft
NEW YORK—A virus that attacks Windows operating systems caused computer and Internet havoc around the world Tuesday.
Tens of thousands of companies, government departments and home computer users across North America, Europe and Asia were hit by the Internet worm, which uses the names “LovSan,” “MSBlast” and “Blaster,” experts said.
As well as crashing systems, the virus carries a message to Bill Gates, the Microsoft founder and chairman, saying: “Billy Gates, why do you make this possible? Stop making money and fix your software!!”
Microsoft provides the vast majority of computer operating systems for companies and personal computers used around the world.
The virus attacks a weakness in Microsoft’s Windows systems. Microsoft said the Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows NT and Windows Server 2003 were the most vulnerable and urged immediate action.
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, which handles driving licenses and car registrations in the eastern US state, came to a standstill Tuesday.
The virus also hit the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, leading to the shutdown of most of its system, but the US financial system kept working normally.
Experts said most computer users would only see the impact through the sluggish response of their machine.
Symantec Security Response, a US anti-virus specialist, said the virus had been detected in over 125,000 computer systems it had checked by Tuesday afternoon.
The virus also attacked Microsoft’s after-sales service line in a bid to stop victims from downloading a patch to halt the worm, Symantec said.
The worm does not appear to erase files or create major damage other than duplicating itself to other e-mail addresses in a computer user’s address book.
But security officials fear hackers will devise copycat versions that can wreak far greater havoc if the remedy is not applied soon. (AFP) |
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