Shortly after someone published exploit code for a newly discovered Windows 2000 flaw, someone created the Zotob worm.
Once installed, Zotob will try to seek out and infect other computers
on the same network. It also opens a backdoor trojan that allows
someone to access the infected machine.
Several slightly different versions of Zotob have been released. The
creators of these separate versions apparently have gone to war with
each other. Now owners of infected computers not only have to deal with
a virus infection. They also are dealt the double indignity of seeing
their machine become a battleground, as the different Zotob worms try
to exterminate each other.
In the past, people released viruses and worms for bragging rights.
They wanted to show their fellow miscreants how cool they were, so they
would infect millions of computers for the hell of it. These days, an
infected computer is worth money.
Everyone - from spammers to organized crime to international terrorists
- pay good money for control of large networks of infected computers.
These computers can be used to send spam. They can be used to launch
denial of service attacks. They can be used for a number of illegal
things.
An infected computer now is "turf" belonging to whoever can take the
machine and keep it. If a competitor is discovered, that competitor
must go. The best way to avoid being hit in the crossfire of this or
any future computer gang war is to have a policeman nearby. By that, I
mean that you must have an antivirus program which is kept up-to-date
on a constant basis.
You also need to make sure you install Windows security updates, as soon as they come out. Turn on automatic updates or visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
at least once a week. Microsoft Updates usually are released on the
second Tuesday of each month. Occasionally, a very critical update is
released off schedule, so take the time to check at least once a week.
