PCTips Box

The Windows functions are always under attack because disabling a vital function of the operating system automatically means an open door for the hacker, who would be able to infiltrate into the computer and conduct his malicious activities. Today, a new worm has been spotted in the wild and, according to security company Trend Micro, it affects most flavors of the operating system produced by Microsoft, including Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP and Server 2003.

But what’s worse is that WORM_SILLYFDC.CY has a high damage potential and a high distribution potential, two elements that underline the worm’s capability to reach your computer and harm the data stored on it. In case you’re curios about how can you get infected, the process is pretty simple: all you need to do is to visit an infected page. However, the worm may also be dropped by another piece of malware, Trend Micro explains. (more…)

Windows Live Messenger accounts for the largest community for any IM client worldwide. At the end of 2007, in November, as Microsoft was unveiling Windows Live 2.0, the next generation of its suite of software and services in the cloud, the company estimated that Windows Live Messenger had an install base of approximately 300 million users. In this context, it failed to come as a surprise the fact that Windows Live messenger was the most attacked instant messaging platform in 2007, according to statistics provided by FaceTime Communications. And with such a high profile, it is bound that the trend will continue into 2008. (more…)

Spammers are always willing to do anything it’s possible to create huge lists of valid email addresses in order to be able to launch new attacks. They are even selling huge lists of emails to other spammers who intend to send unsolicited messages to all the contacts. The latest trend seems to be infecting people’s computers with a worm and steal their email addresses. WORM_ZHELATI.AIR was discovered by security vendor Trend Micro, which wrote that it affected most Windows flavors including 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP and Server 2003. Although it has a low damage potential and a low distribution potential, the worm can reach your computer by email or straight from a malicious website visited by the user. (more…)

WORM_VB.ZAA is a new kind of worm that attempts to infect the Windows computers, being executed once the user starts Windows Media Player. Security company Trend Micro wrote that the worm affected most versions of the operating system powered by Microsoft, including Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP and Server 2003. But, what’s more important is that it has a high distribution potential bundled with a medium damage potential, so extra-caution is recommended, if you want to keep your computer protected. Now, let’s see more details about the infection. (more…)