Microsoft downplays latest malware warnings

With security vendors warning of new malware that exploits a recently patched flaw in Windows, Microsoft is saying that attacks are not on the rise.

Earlier this week, two new malicious programs popped up, both of which took advantage of the MS06-040 Windows Server service vulnerability. This prompted Symantec to raise its ThreatCon rating to 2 on Thursday, an indication that users should be at a heightened level of security awareness.

But on Friday Microsoft said that even with these new variants, the total number of computers being attacked was unchanged. "We're not seeing an increase in attacks, just minor variations," said Stephen Toulouse, security program manager with Microsoft's Security Response Center.