PandaLabs reports mass computers infection by Conficker worm

1st February 2009

PandaLabs warns of large-scale infection with worms of the new family Conficker.
Three versions of Conficker have been found so far. The first cases of infection were recorded in November, the climax of spreading the malware happened in early January.
The family Conficker uses a critical vulnerability in server services of Windows, removed at the end of last year. In addition, you can get infected via USB-devices. Once in a victim`s computer, Conficker downloads additional malicious components and allows hackers to take remote control over the infected computer.
PandaLabs experts note that the worm is constantly updated by downloading components from changing IP-addresses, which makes it difficult to block. According to the laboratory, creators of Conficker-worms are preparing an organized large-scale attack with the use of infected machines.