Microsoft Offers Bounty Against Worm
In case you didn’t know about it—and you can count yourself lucky that you didn’t have to find out—there’s a really, really bad virus out there that’s been wreaking havoc on corporate networks for over a month now. It’s known as Conficker or Downadup, depending on your virus software, and it’s the kind of thing that makes virus writers proud. It cripples networks, exploits Windows vulnerabilities, locks accounts and prevents network administrators from cleaning it easily. Most antivirus software have caught up by now, but it’s been one hell of a ride for anyone who got infected.
Since it exploits a Windows vulnerability, Microsoft has decided to get involved. Along with other companies, it is leading the charge against the worm by offering a $250,000 reward to anyone who will give information about the culprits behind the malware. Any “information that results in the arrest and conviction of those responsible for illegally launching the Conflicker malicious code on the Internet.” will get the cash.
Other than Microsoft, security vendors F-Secure and Symantec are part of the alliance, along with VeriSign, NeuStar and ICANN. It’s more than a proactive move, given the money involved. Hit the source for the rest of the details.
Short URL: http://gadget.ca/z6e
