Introducing a new section

This new section is called "I don't need to worry about it". It's about the security problems that plague Windows users, but "for some reason" don't affect Linux users. Each time, I will take an article from a news source and repost it under this category.

This section is provided in the hope that some Windows users reading this blog will even just START using Linux. I don't mind if web browsing, e-mail and IM are the only things you start using Linux for, as long as you STOP USING WINDOWS ONLINE! Maybe, when you see these security problems concentrated, and are told about how Linux doesn't suffer this stuff, you'll consider switching part of your computing to open-source.

"Botnet" army in AOL's backyard

Correspondents in San Francisco
Agence France-Presse
From Australian IT

HACKERS using computer worms implanted via America Online (AOL) instant messages could assembling a "botnet" for sinister purposes, a Silicon Valley internet security firm said today.

  FaceBook security specialists advised users not to open any files sent to them via AIM.

FaceTime Security Labs identified the worm as "W32.pipeline" and said the executable software tricked its way into people's computers by posing as a picture attached to an instant message from someone on their AOL "buddy list."

Once in computers, the worms open the doors to download infectious software that essentially lets those behind the invasion take control of the machines, according to FaceTime.

"The motivation for the bad guys seems to be in lining up as many 'install chains' as possible to insure a consistent pipeline that can be controlled by their rogue botnet," FaceTime director of malware research Chris Boyd said.

AIM users are duped into letting the worms in through psychological ploy from the "social engineering" playbook, according to FaceTime.

The infected attachments are disguised as image "JPEG" files and arrive with AIM messages to the effect of "hey would it (be) okay if I upload this picture of you to my blog?"

The worm sends copies of itself to addresses found on AOL instant messaging (AIM) buddy lists of newly infected machines, FaceTime said.

The robotic computers can be amassed in a network referred to as a "botnet."

"FaceTime researchers believe that the ultimate goal of the W32.pipeline is to create a sophisticated botnet that can be used for a range of malicious purposes," the company said.

Botnets under the control of hackers can be mined for personal information or used to send junk email or overwhelm business websites with simultaneous requests in what are known as "denial-of-service" attacks.

Hackers could also use zombie machine armies to commit "click fraud" by having them repeatedly connect to internet advertising for which businesses are charged per click.

But I don't need to worry about it.