AIM, AOL’s Instant Messenger, has become host to two new worm threats, as identified by IMlogic and Akonix Systems.


AIM, AOL’s Instant Messenger, has become host to two new worm threats.

The first worm, identified by IMlogic, is dubbed IM.Myspace04.AIM. The worm arrives in instant messages on AIM with the message “lol thats cool” or “lol its not its a virus” etc. The message contains a link to a malicious file “clarissa17.pif”.

The malicious file is known to disable a user’s security software and install a backdoor for attackers to hack the system. The file starts sending itself to other members in the AIM buddy list in the same way. The infected user is not able to detect that such messages are sent from his/her AIM to everyone in the buddy list.

The second worm, identified by Akonix Systems, dubbed Aimdes.E Aimes.E is a holiday worm which targets AIM users. The worm carries the message “This AIM user has sent you a Greetings Card, to open it visit:
http://g{BLOCKED}aol.com/index.pd?source=christmastheme?my_christmas_card.COM”.

When the user clicks on the link, the worm installs itself on the computer. This worm also creates a backdoor to the computer and sends itself to the contacts on the buddy list.

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