Taterf - 1m Strong!

[nikster]

This is from the news dept. but I found it pretty astounding nonetheless.

MS released a new version of the Malicious Software Removal Tool and on the first week, the tool removed password stealing trojans from over 1M machines! Taterf alone was on 1.2 million distinct systems.

http://blogs.technet.com/mmpc/archive/2008...o-me-1-one.aspx

What's also amazing is that these trojans propagate exclusively via the Windows autorun "feature". E.g. on flash sticks, CD-Rs, mp3 players.

Tip: Turn off autorun for all drives via Windows Power Tools. Cheaper than the latest NOD32, and for this kind of infection, a lot safer, too.

[dekka007]

Thank god for MAC OS X

Edited June 24, 2008 by dekka007

[LivinLOS]

Thank god for MAC OS X

You know there are now active in the wild trojans (not theory) out there for Macs now dont you ???

[dekka007]

Yes I know....but very very few and rare compared to windows torjans. Yet to get one in all my years on mac os x. Where as on windows saw a pc with trojans on a weekly basis.

[Rice_King]

This is from the news dept. but I found it pretty astounding nonetheless.

MS released a new version of the Malicious Software Removal Tool and on the first week, the tool removed password stealing trojans from over 1M machines! Taterf alone was on 1.2 million distinct systems.

http://blogs.technet.com/mmpc/archive/2008...o-me-1-one.aspx

What's also amazing is that these trojans propagate exclusively via the Windows autorun "feature". E.g. on flash sticks, CD-Rs, mp3 players.

Tip: Turn off autorun for all drives via Windows Power Tools. Cheaper than the latest NOD32, and for this kind of infection, a lot safer, too.

Based on the figures from this 2004 article, One Billion Computers Devouring Earth's Resources I think it would it be safe to say that there are at least 1 Billion computers currently operating in the world. If 85% (850,000,000) of them are running the Windows OS (a web search revealed close to 90% do), then that would mean that the 1.2 million infected machines equates to just 1 in roughly 700 Windows infected machines. Not a very high percentage from that perspective.

[Guest Reimar]

Yes I know....but very very few and rare compared to windows torjans. Yet to get one in all my years on mac os x. Where as on windows saw a pc with trojans on a weekly basis.

compare the amount of available Virus/Trojans/Spys for the amount of available (running) Mac's in % and available Virus/Trojans/Spys for the amount of available (running) PC's in % the amount for Mac is higher than for PC!

Think even about how long Antivisrus fro Mac exist, like Virex, if there no virus for Mac?!

Cheers.

[Veazer]

MS released a new version of the Malicious Software Removal Tool and on the first week, the tool removed password stealing trojans from over 1M machines...

Looks like Microsoft has moved on to creating password stealing tools and handing over the technology to anyone with a badge. I'll give it about 2-3 weeks, if that, before someone uploads it as a torrent.

http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/tech...fee_device.html

[Rice_King]

Looks like Microsoft has moved on to creating password stealing tools and handing over the technology to anyone with a badge. I'll give it about 2-3 weeks, if that, before someone uploads it as a torrent.

http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/tech...fee_device.html

Considering that this news is two months old, and according to your prediction, it should already be on the torrents.

[A_Traveller]

There are a few alleged copies on torrent sites now. As to their legitimacy {are they masquerading to zap the torrentee?} I don't know.

Regards

PS It should be noted that this toolkit appears to be a collection of known techniques, including MS' own WOLF tools. MS has been at pains to point out that it does not constitute a back-door or Bitlocker cracker {they would say that wouldn't they}.

PPS Why target Apple anyway, the penetration is so low as to be meaningless compared to accessible systems {and I don't mean PCs}

Edited June 24, 2008 by A_Traveller

[Veazer]

Looks like Microsoft has moved on to creating password stealing tools and handing over the technology to anyone with a badge. I'll give it about 2-3 weeks, if that, before someone uploads it as a torrent.

http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/tech...fee_device.html

Considering that this news is two months old, and according to your prediction, it should already be on the torrents.

I should have been clearer I guess. My point wasn't about the exact timing of when it would arrive on the torrent scene, or any other means of downloading, but just that it will eventually fall into the wrong hands.

I understand that's it's said to be a collection of tools that's already available, but they're still effectively distributing pc hacking 'kits' imho. They've just made an easier job much for people with bad intentions but marginal tech skills.