MSN Messenger worm seeds zombie networks
A worm spreading via MSN Messenger is turning infected Windows PCs into zombie drones. The Bropia-F worm spreads by offering "sexy image files" to IM contacts of infected users.
Instead of racy documents, users who accept and open infected files get a comical photo of a roasted chicken with a bikini tan line. In the background, Bropia-F installs a variant of the infamous Agobot (AKA Pahtbot or Rbot) worm, opening a backdoor on infected systems. The bot can then be used to collect system information, log keystrokes and relay spam.
"Many corporations have been blocking use of instant messenger programs for employee productivity reasons, and now may have good cause to do so for security reasons as well," said Joe Hartmann, senior virus researcher at anti-virus firm Trend Micro. "With the popularity of instant messengers, it may be the home users who are most at risk - this kind of worm uses humour to make people forget that they are being infected and backdoors are being opened into their systems."
