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Microsoft Warns of Copycat Conficker Worm
nk497 writes "Microsoft is warning that malware writers have adapted a four-year-old virus to use features of Conficker to take advantage of Windows flaws. Other similarities between the adapted Neeris worm and Conficker are that it downloads a copy of the worm from the attacking machine using HTTP, spreads via autorun, and uses a driver to patch the TCP/IP layer of the system. It even saw a traffic jump around the first of April, when the Conficker hype peaked. But the Microsoft researchers suggested Conficker may have copied Neeris, or that they're copying each other: 'It is possible that these miscreants somehow collaborate or at least are aware of each other's "products."'"
This is could one of two ways, either the viruses will try and outdo each other by doing more and more outrageous things to the victim's computer or (and let's face it, this would be more amusing) they'll try and kill each other to get sole ownership of the PC.
Either way, I'm glad I use Linux.
Summation 2
I, for one, am amazed to learn that criminal software developers behave quite similarly to ordinary ones. Reusing code, copying features from industry leaders, why, they probably even use revision control systems!
Seriously, though. It would be more of a surprise if they weren't doing this. Of course players in a competitive market are going to be watching each other and adopting each others best features.
It's more like "You turned off autoupdates and don't have antivirus software, so watch out".
Conficker only affects out-of-date systems made vulnerable by idiots turning off security systems to gain a small performance improvement.
But hey, don't let me interrupt your "Bash M$; get karma" rant...
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Disagree. Windows security issues are a major concern for Microsoft's customers, and hence to them. Apple, BSD/*x and FOSS boosters, (and yes, I'm one) regularly point out how much more 'secure' their platforms are. (Of course, as debated endlessly here and elsewhere, that may be as much a function of market share as inherent design, although few informed people would seriously challenge the latter).
Of course, it's not just the OS, it's the apps. Ms makes a lot from selling 'Office' too, which has its own vulnerabilities.
So, since the competition is 'free' (*x & Ooo) and more secure, yes, I guess they do give a damn.