Security experts have discovered a new worm that uses AOL 's Instant Messaging service to infect computers.
Security experts have discovered a new worm that uses AOL Instant Messaging service to infect computer users.
According to security company FaceTime, the worm dubbed W32.pipeline, spreads rootkits and Trojans via a file disguised as a JPEG.
W32.pipeline arrives as an instant message that appears to come from a familiar contact from the users AIM Buddy list.
If you click on the link attached to the instant message, which says ‘hey would it okay if I upload this picture of you to my blog?' your computer becomes part of a spam-sending zombie network and hackers can take complete control of the machine, claims FaceTime.
According to FaceTime, once the computer is infected it can be use for sending infected spasm to other users, performing distributed denial-of-service attacks on other computers or steal financial details.
Security experts at FaceTime claims that W32.pipeline worm is more sophisticated that previous IM worms.
“Here, the motivation for the bad guys seems to be in lining up as many ‘install chains’ as possible to insure a consistent pipeline that can be controlled by their rouge botnet,” said Chris Boyd, director of malware research for FaceTime SecurityLabs.
FaceTime
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