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London (pte055/07.06.2005/16:20) - A triple computer virus is currently threatening PC defences and potentially larger companies and businesses.
Experts say that such an operation could create an army of 'zombie' computers that could severely damage commercial systems or produce copious amounts of spam mails.
The infected computers' defence systems break down progressively, representing a dangerous mixture of 'malware' - malicious software.
Simon Terry, vice president of security strategy at the UK-based company Computer Associates says: "It is a very deliberate strategy to disarm defences on a massive number of machines and quickly turn these into a zombie army."
The trio of viruses is divided into three programmes: 'Glieder', 'Fantibag' and 'Mitglieder'. Glieder http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/virus.aspx?id=43216#infection infiltrates computers in an email and is activated when the attachment is double-clicked. A chain reaction is set off that is supposed to take the computer hostage. Glieder attempts to download two more programmes, which lowers the computer's defence mechanisms.
The Fantibag http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/trojan.fantibag.a.html makes the computer vulnerable to infection by deactivating anti-virus and security software, also blocking access to security websites.
A programme is then installed by the third virus, Mitgliederhttp://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/mitglied.shtml , which allows the PC to be controlled externally.
"There is definitely a criminal element behind the design and functionality of these viruses," Terry says. "Zombie machines are sold on an underground equivalent of eBay."
Using the viruses, hackers attempt to extort money from companies, and threaten to force them offline.
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