The
Conficker worm has been creating quite a headache since it was
unleashed last October, and Microsoft has literally raised the stakes
by slapping a $250,000 (£172,000) reward up for anyone who can
track down its creator.
Conficker
travels through networks via both the Internet and USB drives,
cracking passwords and sending the information to malware Downadup,
allowing computers to be turned into remotely-controlled botnets.
It’s estimated that 12 million machines have been infected.
Microsoft considers the worm a criminal attack, hence the bounty.
"People
who write this malware have to be held accountable," said
George Stathakopulos, of Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing Group, in
conversation with the BBC. He added that the company was "not
prepared to sit back and let this kind of activity go unchecked."
Downadup
is widespread, but its operators have yet to activate its payload,
which will steal data and create the botnets. Microsoft admits that
it does not know the intentions of the worm’s creator, but
wants to prevent any more havoc. As such, it’s partnered with
security companies, domain providers and even the US Department of
Justice in a global response to the threat of the worm.
"The
best way to defeat potential botnets like Conficker/Downadup is by
the security and Domain Name System communities working together,"
said Greg Rattray, chief internet security adviser at the Internet
Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann). "Icann
represents a community that’s all about co-ordinating those kinds of
efforts to keep the internet globally secure and stable."
Dog Poo Bags - 540 Counts Biodegradable Poop Waste Bag Refill Rolls for Dogs include 1 Adjustable Dispenser | Scented
£13.59 (as of 27/03/2024 10:43 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)INIU USB C Charger Cable 2m 3.1A Type C Cable Fast Charging, Braided USB A to USB-C Phone Charger Cable USBC for iPhone 15 Pro Samsung Galaxy S22/S21/S20/S9 Huawei P9 Pixel 7/6 iPad Switch PS5 etc.
£4.99 (as of 27/03/2024 10:43 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet | 8-inch HD display, ages 3–7, includes 2-year worry-free guarantee, Kid-Proof Case, 32 GB, 2022 release, Blue
£84.99 (as of 23/03/2024 10:42 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Birthday Pamper Gifts for Women, Unique Self Care Package Relaxation Spa Bath Set for Her, Wellbeing Get Well Soon Gifts for Women, Ladies Pamper Hamper Birthday Gifts for Mum, Friends, Sister, Wife
Now retrieving the price.
(as of 27/03/2024 10:43 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)