Sasser worm spreading quickly
Computer security experts are dealing with at least four variants of a worm that is spreading quickly through Windows operating systems.
Known as SasserA, SasserB, SasserC and SasserD, the worm is targeting Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows 2000 and 2003 servers. Other Windows systems, including Windows 95, 98 and ME, could be indirectly affected.
"It's pretty aggressive, and it's replicating very quickly," said Steven Sundermeier, a security expert at Central Command, a computer security company based in Medina, Ohio.
In a new, cunning twist by virus writers, an e-mail in wide circulation that purportedly offers a "fix" for the Sasser worm actually infects the user's computer with a different virulent worm, known as Netsky-AC.
"It really preys on paranoia about the Sasser worm," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for the computer security firm Sophos.
"The very worst thing you can do is fall for this trick by clicking on the attached file," he said.
