Downadup Computer Worm Infects 1.2 Million Networks (Update2)
Juho Erkheikki
Jan. 23 (Bloomberg) -- A computer worm called Downadup, the most severe outbreak in years, continues to spread after infecting millions of corporate computers and servers.
About 1.2 million networks were contaminated as of yesterday, Mikko Hyppoenen, chief research officer at Helsinki- based Internet security software maker F-Secure Oyj, said in an interview. That’s up from less than a million on Jan. 20.
The virus, also know as Conficker, infects computers and servers running on Microsoft Corp.’s Windows operating system, according to F-Secure. The worm, which can block users from accessing their accounts, also spreads through portable storage devices. F-Secure posted a warning about the virus on its Web site on Jan. 7. The strain is different from other outbreaks because it mainly affects corporations and not home computers.
“It’s still spreading, but not explosively,” Hyppoenen said. “It’s been around for a while, so it must start to abate.”
Microsoft released a patch for the security flaw exploited by Downadup in October. Customers who think they have the worm can also download the free Malicious Software Removal Tool at http://www.microsoft.com/security/ malwareremove/default.mspx, according to a Microsoft statement.
Blaster, Loveletter
The virus’ impact is similar to that of Blaster and Loveletter at the beginning of this decade, Hyppoenen said. While the number of infected machines is in the millions, it’s difficult to give an exact number, he said.
“A few minutes after the virus has intruded a company network, all laptops, desktops and servers have become infected,” Hyppoenen said. “We have had cases where hospital networks with computers in operating rooms have become contaminated. You can’t just unplug them, making the cleanup more difficult.”
Blaster infected computer systems in 2003, harming train- and air-travel systems and cash machines. It prompted the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta to shut down its computer system and triggered a network overload at Sweden’s TeliaSonera AB, the Nordic region’s largest phone company.
To contact the reporter on this story: Juho Erkheikki in Helsinki at jerkheikki@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: January 23, 2009 15:20 EST