Santa Claus Worm on Yahoo, AOL & MSN Messenger
There is a new Grinch which has been unleashed on the web with Christmas just being a few days away. There is currently a “Santa Claus worm” which is targeting the users of MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, and AOL Instant Messenger. The program reportedly lures unsuspecting computer users into downloading a Christmas Santa Claus file and running it.
The worm, IM.GiftCom.All, tricks the victim into believing that one of their online buddies has messaged them with a link to a Santa Claus file. If the file is downloaded onto the computer a Santa Claus image appears on the monitor and the file also installs a rootkit on user systems.
These rootkits are designed in a way that they are not detected by security applications and can cause considerable damage to the victim’s machine. The worm then targets the other buddies on the victim’s IM applications to replicate itself. This information was released by the maker of security applications for Instant Messengers, IMlogic. IMlogic has labeled this worm as a “medium” security threat : “This worm is a medium threat in terms of its distribution, but in terms of the damage it can create, it’s a more severe threat. It’s not a very happy delivery”.
Do not let the Santa Claus Virus, Santa Claus Worm, or IM.GiftCom.All ruin your Christmas. More information from IMLogic.
Comments
5 responses so far ↓
Sur Bob on Dec 23, 2005 at 2:24 pm
A site link ending in .exe constantly appears in the Yahoo instant messenger window as I am chatting. My Antivirus doesnt detect it and when I delete it for the register it comes back. Anyone else had this and how can I get rid of it?
Bob
Mandy on Dec 24, 2005 at 5:12 am
You probably have system restore on. Disable it. Scan with an anti-virus and remove it. Remove all traces of it. What antivirus are you using? Restart and then it should be gone. Happy Holidays. :)
-Mandy
Mandy on Dec 24, 2005 at 5:13 am
Tell your friend that they have it and are sending it out, more than likely without their knowledge.
If you have it on your system, run an antivirus prog, delete it, and it still comes back - you probably have system restore on. Disable it. Scan with an anti-virus and remove it. Remove all traces of it. What antivirus are you using? Restart and then it should be gone. Happy Holidays. :)
-Mandy
Santa Claus on Dec 27, 2005 at 2:35 pm
Merry Christmas!
kenan on Dec 1, 2008 at 6:31 am
my name is kenan
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