Worm/Sobig.F de-activates spreading on September 10, 2003, next possible Sobig
variant expected on or near September 11, 2003
MEDINA, Ohio, Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Central Command, a leading provider
of PC anti-virus software and services, today cautions Internet users of the
next possible Sobig cyber attack on or about September 11th, 2003. Discovered
on August 19, 2003, Worm/Sobig.F is estimated to have infected millions of
systems worldwide and may draw on them to be part of a cyber army focusing a
digital assault against major online services.
When particular conditions are met, Worm/Sobig.F will attempt to download
additional components of the attackers choice. The pre-configured conditions
include performing tests to determine if the current day is Friday or Sunday
between the hours of 19:00 (7PM) and 22:00 (10PM) UTC time. When these
conditions are met, the worm will attempt to retrieve further instructions
that may include the downloading and execution a backdoor hacker program.
Backdoors can allow someone with malicious intent to gain full control of the
infected computer.
"The virus author(s) of Sobig have developed a predictable pattern of
releasing new variants soon after the current version de-activates itself,"
said Steven Sundermeier, VP Products and Services at Central Command, Inc.
"If the past repeats itself we could be looking at a newly constructed
creation shortly after September 10th. A potential risk is that the massive
army created by Worm/Sobig.F could be used to launch an all out attack on
large Internet infrastructures, for example, by means of a Distributed Denial
of Service attack (DDoS)."
Central Command's Emergency Virus Response Team(TM) is monitoring all the
potential uses for creating such a large arsenal of controlled systems and
highly recommends developing safe computing practices when handling email
attachments to prevent future widespread infections.
About Central Command: A leader in the anti-virus industry, Central
Command, Inc., a privately held company, serves home PC users and industrial,
financial, government, education, healthcare and service firms with virus
protection software, services, and information. The company services customers
in over 98 countries and is headquartered in Medina, Ohio. Visit Central
Command online ( http://www.centralcommand.com ) or call 1-330-723-2062 for more
information.
Central Command, EVRT, Vexira, and Emergency Virus Response Team are
trademarks of Central Command, Inc. All other trademarks, trade names, and
products referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
SOURCE Central Command
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Related links:
http://www.centralcommand.com
CONTACT:
Steven Sundermeier, VP Products and Services
of Central Command, +1-330-350-2515, or Office, +1-330-723-2062,
ext. 204, or Fax, +1-330-722-6517, or Email,
ssundermeier@centralcommand.com
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