New Slammer Virus Could Attack The Internet

"We may have to witness the ravages of a virus like SQL Slammer. It leverages the same Windows vulnerabilities to bypass the security mechanisms of the system and attack Internet users. " That's a warning issued by Core Security Technologies Software Company yesterday. According to experts, hackers can exploit the "workstation service" bug in Windows XP and Windows 2000 software announced by Microsoft last month to spread the virus. This is a very serious defect. If this program receives too much data, the service will be overloaded and hackers can take advantage of the installation of another program, view, change or delete the data from the victim computer. Prior to Core Security Technologies' warning, Internet Security Company (ISS) detected an attack tool when a hacker posted a "wirepair" alias. This tool first appeared on an online forum at the Russian security site "forum.securitylab.ru". On the second day, Nov. 14, experts found the new attack tool on a French website www.k-otik.net when hackers posted on the network using the name "snooq". The two companies advise users to update the patch that Microsoft has just released to protect the system. Failed version: Windows 2000 Windows XP Fixes: The bug fixes can be downloaded at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-049.asp.