Pegasus Research Consortium

Breaking News => Breaking News => Topic started by: Ellirium113 on October 10, 2012, 12:18:30 AM

Title: New worm spreading on Skype
Post by: Ellirium113 on October 10, 2012, 12:18:30 AM
Skype users might want to have a read...

Worm spreading on Skype IM installs ransomware


QuoteA malicious worm spreading through Skype instant messages threatens to take control of a victim's machine and hold its contents for ransom.

The issue, which was first brought to light Friday by GFI, tricks users into downloading a ZIP file by displaying the socially-engineered message, "lol is this your new profile pic?" along with a link that also spreads the message to other Skype users. The ZIP filed contains an executable file that installs a variant of the Dorkbot worm and creating a backdoor via "Blackhole," an exploit kit used by criminals to infect computers through security holes.

The backdoor allows a remote attacker to take control of the machine and install the ransomware, a malicious application that locks the user out of the computer via password or encryption and demands a payment, or ransom, in exchange for its contents. This particular strain demands a payment of $200 within 48 hours or risk having their files deleted.

PC users are also presented with a screen (see below) that claims the computer has been used to visit sites of a nefarious nature, including the downloading of MP3s, illegal pornography, gambling, and illegal drugs, and threatens to send that information to the "special Department of US government" via a program called "System Cleaner," which it claims was developed by the U.S. government "to prevent crime and illegal activity on the Internet."

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57528353-83/worm-spreading-on-skype-im-installs-ransomware/ (http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57528353-83/worm-spreading-on-skype-im-installs-ransomware/)

Title: Re: New worm spreading on Skype
Post by: IRCyborg on October 10, 2012, 12:23:02 AM
Can we go fishing with it?  ;)


hehehehe
Title: Re: New worm spreading on Skype
Post by: Fruitbat on October 10, 2012, 12:29:17 AM
 Shouldn't that be spelt "Phishing"?    ;D
FB!

Title: Re: New worm spreading on Skype
Post by: Fruitbat on October 10, 2012, 12:31:07 AM
-Sorry. That was awful.
*Shamed*
FB!
Title: Re: New worm spreading on Skype
Post by: Pimander on October 10, 2012, 12:50:04 AM
Skype is a gaping hole in any PC security.  My advice is just don't use it.

PRC admin had an incident and most of us don't use it now.
Title: Re: New worm spreading on Skype
Post by: Amaterasu on October 10, 2012, 01:03:52 AM
Skype was crashing My system - back before the operating system change that allowed Me to see vids - and I never used it since that early attempt.  Guess I'm not going to.
Title: Re: New worm spreading on Skype
Post by: IRCyborg on October 10, 2012, 01:23:40 AM
Quote from: Fruitbat on October 10, 2012, 12:29:17 AM
Shouldn't that be spelt "Phishing"?    ;D
FB!

:)  +1

1337 h4ck3rz ruined a perfectly good name for a band....

http://youtu.be/GtRXYKxFYvE  (one of my favorite Phish songs!  )