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Flame Malware Hijacks Windows Update
wiredmikey writes "As more research unfolds about the recently discovered Flame malware, researchers have found three modules – named Snack, Gadget and Munch – that are used to launch what is essentially a man-in-the-middle attack against other computers on a network. As a result, Kaspersky researchers say when a machine attempts to connect to Microsoft's Windows Update, it redirects the connection through an infected machine and it sends a fake malicious Windows Update to the client. That is courtesy of a rogue Microsoft certificate that chains to the Microsoft Root Authority and improperly allows code signing. According to Symantec, the Snack module sniffs NetBIOS requests on the local network. NetBIOS name resolution allows computers to find each other on a local network via peer-to-peer, opening up an avenue for spoofing. The findings have prompted Microsoft to say that it plans to harden Windows Update against attacks in the future, though the company did not immediately reveal details as to how."
And an anonymous reader adds a note that Flame's infrastructure is massive: "over 80 different C&C domains, pointed to over 18 IP addresses located in Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Poland, the UK, and other countries."
I don't think you're being fair. Microsoft has fixed more security holes than all the other software companies on the planet combined. And I have every faith that they will continue to fix thousands and thousands of security holes every year for a long, long time to come.
Of course, it's running Windows.
The preceding was meant tongue-in-cheek but even having said that there'll probably still be Linux/MS fanbois who want to take it seriously and start a flamewar.
Violence is like duct tape. If it doesn't solve the problem, you didn't use enough.
Well, I am not an expert on the topic but there are a few things you might want to consider before you get all overexcited on that...
First, there are hardly any infections outside the Arab-world. (my guess is that it just takes a look at the keyboard driver in use) Going by your username you're not an Arab guy.
Second, the virus seems to be activated by some kind of a human operator, and well... you are probably not important enough (read: high level nuke scientist or something)
Third, this thing is in the wild since 2010, maybe even as early as 2007, and you didnt get infected in all the updates since then (I assume), or it is to late anyway.
Fourth, you use Windows and then ask if you might catch a virus? Seriously?
Fifth, to be absolutely safe: format your HD a couple of times, get OpenBSD on it with a strong root password (at least 128 characters), get the battery out and pack the thing in a lead box with walls at least 5 inch thick, fill the rest of the box with epoxy and bury the whole thing on a depth of at least 10 feet... on Pluto...
rm -rf --no-preserve-root /
And then nuke it from orbit.
Of course. Americans are all idiots but somehow stil manage to lead the world in economic, military, and computer technology. It's a mystery.
Of course I know the difference between Persians and East Boisans. Persians have the annoying tendency to say "Bro" after every other word, drive Mercedes and threaten to cut your balls off if you even look at a Persian girl. East Boisans say "Y'all" after ever other word, drive Ford F150s and fantasize about their sisters.
Greetings from LA.
If you were me, you'd be good lookin'. - six string samurai