New Hacker Threat to Computer Users

Scotty · 16th April 2004, 04:09 PM

Computer users were facing a vicious double threat today as yet another new supervirus was revealed while a global gang of hackers threatened to bring down the Internet.

The new virus, called Netsky-V, is a next-generation virus that can infect computers even if the user does not open a rogue email.

Previously, viruses only hit PCs if a suspect email was opened and an attachment downloaded.

The nasty Netsky-V version can go to work wrecking computers even if the user only clicks on the subject line of the email
Meanwhile, another gang of malevolent hackers were warning they intend to cause the Web to grind to a halt next week.

Experts monitoring the Web have detected a co-ordinated attempt to hack into the world’s most powerful supercomputers and server systems in an attempt to cause major disruption across the world.

Massive systems at America’s Stanford University, the San Diego Supercomputer Center, and the US National Center for Atmospheric Research have been targeted in recent days.

One US anti-virus expert said it was believed the computer criminals were attempting to harness the massive power of the supercomputers to bring down Web sites and email systems.

A spokesman for AOL UK said: "Computer hackers and viruses are a significant threat to all Internet users, particularly those on broadband. "Motivations range from simple virtual vandalism to serious commercial gain, so they are a threat we take very seriously. For example, AOL provides free email anti-virus scanning for all members and free firewall software for broadband users as part of its subscription to make it safer for its members when they are online."

*source = AOL news*

AlanG · 16th April 2004, 04:27 PM

that sounds more like a press release about AOL than dangerous viruses

Rebelius · 16th April 2004, 04:34 PM

symantec and sophos don't seem to think it's a very dangerous one.

I had Netsky.b last week and it didnt actually do much, just added a load of copies of itself to all folders with Shared or music in their title. and tried to send itself to all the addresses it could find in my PC (searches for @s) which the firewall stopped.

I_got_a_mohawk · 16th April 2004, 09:05 PM

Its jsut AOL trying to get some more customers by the sounds of it . . . but hey, having AOL on yer pc is probably gonna do more damage than the virus or these hackers. . .

WATCHO!! · 17th April 2004, 01:33 AM

i had that virus. it did fuck all and was easy as hell to remove.

Rebelius · 17th April 2004, 08:11 AM

hahaha, yep.

So how come AOL are the only people saying that this virus is so dangerous an crap? isn't that illegal somehow? creating a hoax? cos that's all it is!

"There's a load of superviruses and dangerous as hell hackers out there. Get AOL to fuck you over and we'll give you free virus protection and firewall."

BlAcKeNeD · 29th April 2004, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan G

that sounds more like a press release about AOL than dangerous viruses

Made me laugh

16th April 2004, 04:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
Scotty Let The Chaos Begin... Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: North East Fife Posts: 3,247	New Hacker Threat to Computer Users Computer users were facing a vicious double threat today as yet another new supervirus was revealed while a global gang of hackers threatened to bring down the Internet. The new virus, called Netsky-V, is a next-generation virus that can infect computers even if the user does not open a rogue email. Previously, viruses only hit PCs if a suspect email was opened and an attachment downloaded. The nasty Netsky-V version can go to work wrecking computers even if the user only clicks on the subject line of the email Meanwhile, another gang of malevolent hackers were warning they intend to cause the Web to grind to a halt next week. Experts monitoring the Web have detected a co-ordinated attempt to hack into the world’s most powerful supercomputers and server systems in an attempt to cause major disruption across the world. Massive systems at America’s Stanford University, the San Diego Supercomputer Center, and the US National Center for Atmospheric Research have been targeted in recent days. One US anti-virus expert said it was believed the computer criminals were attempting to harness the massive power of the supercomputers to bring down Web sites and email systems. A spokesman for AOL UK said: "Computer hackers and viruses are a significant threat to all Internet users, particularly those on broadband. "Motivations range from simple virtual vandalism to serious commercial gain, so they are a threat we take very seriously. For example, AOL provides free email anti-virus scanning for all members and free firewall software for broadband users as part of its subscription to make it safer for its members when they are online." source = AOL news

16th April 2004, 04:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
AlanG ModSword +5 of Editing Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Dundee Posts: 3,429	that sounds more like a press release about AOL than dangerous viruses __________________ Ernie Ross - "I'm not a rent-a-quote MP" 10 Sep 04 Ernie Ross being a rent-a-quote MP 23 Jul 04

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16th April 2004, 04:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rebelius Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 7,220	symantec and sophos don't seem to think it's a very dangerous one. I had Netsky.b last week and it didnt actually do much, just added a load of copies of itself to all folders with Shared or music in their title. and tried to send itself to all the addresses it could find in my PC (searches for @s) which the firewall stopped.

16th April 2004, 09:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
I_got_a_mohawk Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Edinburgh & Blairgowrie Posts: 4,767 Band: Spengler	Its jsut AOL trying to get some more customers by the sounds of it . . . but hey, having AOL on yer pc is probably gonna do more damage than the virus or these hackers. . .

17th April 2004, 01:33 AM	#5 (permalink)
WATCHO!! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Blairgowrie Posts: 1,929 Band: Spengler	i had that virus. it did fuck all and was easy as hell to remove.

17th April 2004, 08:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rebelius Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 7,220	hahaha, yep. So how come AOL are the only people saying that this virus is so dangerous an crap? isn't that illegal somehow? creating a hoax? cos that's all it is! "There's a load of superviruses and dangerous as hell hackers out there. Get AOL to fuck you over and we'll give you free virus protection and firewall."