Computer: Viruses

Like a ghost ship, a rogue software program that glided onto the Internet last November has confounded the efforts of top security experts to eradicate the program and trace its origins and purpose, exposing serious weaknesses in the world’s digital infrastructure. The program, known as Conficker, uses flaws in Windows software to co-opt machines and link them into a virtual computer that can be commanded remotely by its authors. With more than five million of these zombies now under its control -- government, business and home computers in more than 200 countries -- this shadowy computer has power that dwarfs that of the world’s largest data centers.

The Conficker worm has started to update infected machines with a mystery package of data.

Worried about the Conficker worm striking on April 1st? A few simple steps can protect you...

Online pornography hunters' Internet adventures are already fraught with danger from malicious code many porn sites use to commandeer visitors' machines or steal personal data.

A spectre is haunting the net but, outside of techie circles, nobody seems to be talking about it. The threat it represents to our security and wellbeing may be less dramatic than anything posed by global terrorism, but it has the potential to wreak much more havoc. And so far, nobody has come up with a good idea on how to counter it. It's called the Storm worm. It first appeared at the beginning of the year, hidden in email attachments with the subject line: '230 dead as storm batters Europe'.

That exploration goes well beyond invading the closed corners of the Internet. DefCon's more than 6,000 attendees hack everything: their cars, to increase horsepower and remove pesky safety and emissions controls; their brains, using biofeedback receptors attached to videogames to relieve anxiety disorders; even the war in Iraq. One Navy engineer gave a presentation detailing the nine months he spent hacking insurgent bombs, jamming their radio frequencies to prevent detonation.

Hackers are hijacking thousands of PCs to spy on users, shake down online businesses, steal identities and send millions of pieces of spam. If you think your computer is safe, think again.

QuickTime prior to version 7.0.4 has multiple image and media file handling vulnerabilities that could allow an attacker to run malicious programs on your computer. Upgrading to Apple QuickTime version 7.0.4 will correct these vulnerabilities.

The update is available NOW at the Technet security bulletin search. But
it's easier to get it directly. You HAVE to use Internet Explorer.

Microsoft has relented and given in to pressures from the real world and is releasing a WMF patch. I imagine their servers are going to be pretty hard-hit this afternoon. I've included most of their announcement below.