Jan 25 2009
Virus strikes 15 million PCs
LONDON, Jan. 25 (UPI) — A virulent computer virus has infected more than 15 million computers around the world so far, British experts say.The Independent on Sunday reported that the worm — known as Downadup, Conficker or Kido — had contaminated 6 million PCs in the past three days alone.
The newspaper said more than 3,000 British organizations, including hospitals and the Ministry of Defense, have received the virus.
Officials in Britain, the United States, Russia, China and India say they are waiting to see what the virus’s effects will be, if anything.
The newspaper reported there is a possibility the virus has no function other than to demonstrate its originator’s skill, but some security experts think it unlikely a worm so sophisticated at this one would have no ulterior purpose.
Tom Gaffney, technical manager of F-Secure, says this could be to capture confidential information, such as online account details and passwords. He said it is likely the worm is a “rootkit,” which gives the virus designer administrative access to remote computers.
