14 DAY TRIAL // Online security experts recently discovered another worm spreading through AOL's instant messaging network. The worm is being transmitted through the client's message window or chat rooms, which contain a link that will lead users to download the worm. The messages appear to be sent from someone in your buddy/contact list.
This worm isn't all new to the online scenery, but this is its first appearance on AOL's AIM system. Another first, which is more disturbing, is that W32/Sdbot-ADD also is the first to send rootkits via Instant Messaging. Bundled with the W32/Sdbot-ADD worm, the lockx.exe rootkit file is installed when users click on the link within the IM window.
The discovery was made by FaceTime, company that provides secure enterprise IM solutions for business and which made a few other important appearances in the more and more agitated online scenery.
AOL announced that the rootkit could give an attacker access to the computer and control it remotely, which could also mean stealing information or spreading more viruses by using the PC in a 'bot' network.
The rootkit also disables whatever antivirus software installed, alters the user's search page, pushes CPU usage to 100 per cent and automatically downloads unwanted programs such as 180Solutions, Zango, MaxSearch and others.
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