Virus targets bank accounts
2004-06-04 09:25
Berlin - German authorities on Thursday alerted computer users to a new internet virus targeting bank accounts and credit cards and bearing a striking resemblance to the Sasser worm that disabled millions of systems worldwide last month.
The Federal Office for Security in Information Technology (BSI) in the western city of Bonn said the new Korgo virus exploited security loopholes in the Microsoft operating system Windows.
Like Sasser, Korgo does not require users to open an e-mail to unleash its destructive capability but can attack anyone connected to the internet.
According to trade magazine PC Professionell, Korgo primarily seeks out online banking passwords and credit card numbers. It said affected users should change all their passwords and cancel their credit cards.
The virus has attacked Microsoft operating systems including Windows 98, Me, NT, 2000 and XP. Microsoft has uploaded protection "patches" to shield computers against Korgo, the BSI said.
"We are working on the assumption that only a small group of users has been affected because most people acted to protect themselves after Sasser," said a Microsoft spokesperson in Germany, Thomas Baumgaertner.
An 18-year-old German man confessed last month to creating that Sasser worm. He faces up to five years in prison.