When Viruses Infect Worms

An anonymous reader writes "Bitdefender reports that there exist viruses which, when they encounter other viruses, will merge and combine effects so that they create a new virus. 'A virus infects executable files; and a worm is an executable file. If the virus reaches a PC already compromised by a worm, the virus will infect the exe files on that PC — including the worm. When the worm spreads, it will carry the virus with it. Although this happens unintentionally, the combined features from both pieces of malware will inflict a lot more damage than the creators of either piece of malware intended. While most file infectors have inbuilt spreading mechanisms, just like Trojans and worms (spreading routines for RDP, USB, P2P, chat applications, or social networks), some cannot replicate or spread between computers. And it seems a great idea to “outsource” the transportation mechanism to a different piece of malware (i.e. by piggybacking a worm).'"

Comments

Re:Slashdot won't report this

[Jeng]

Naw, I bet it's a script, makes replying useless. /. should tag a few parts of the spam so that when posted it receives an error and doesn't successfully post. Even if they just put the restriction in temporarily it should still have the appropriate effect. I'm rather surprised they haven't done that yet.

YO DAWG,

[Thud457]

I heard you like malware, so we put a virus in your worm so you can be p0wn3d while you get p0wn3d!


We also replaced you coffee with Folger's meth crystals(tm), and got chocolate in your peanut butter. It's two, two mints in one!