Release Date: November 2, 2000
Reference: OLL-PR1019-E/ rev. EJL 11/1/00
Attributions: EL
OnlineSecurity releases Vaccine against “Chinese
Worm” (QAZ.WORM) which reportedly infected Microsoft
[November 2, 2000 Washington DC]- Los Angeles based Internet Security and Investigations firm; OnlineSecurity.Com today released the "Anti-QAZ.Worm", a highly specialized program which protects corporate and government computer networks against the vicious QAZ.Worm, (also known as the "Chinese Worm" first discovered in China, summer 2000) which was recently found to have infected the Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) in a widely reported hacking incident which ranks among the most daring Cyber Terrorism attacks ever.
OnlineSecurity President and Founder Erik Laykin said, "The Anti-QAZ.Worm is the only inoculation currently available to ensure that corporate systems and their respective proprietary data are protected from the Chinese Worm".
"With Microsoft announcing
that they could be a casualty of this 'wild' virus; causing possible loss of
intellectual property and the shut down of remote access of nearly 39,000
employees worldwide; it was clear to OnlineSecurity that a quick and decisive
response would be necessary." said James Gordon, Executive Vice President
and Interim CEO of OnlineSecurity (Formerly Managing Director of High
Technology Investigations for Kroll and Associates (NASDAQ: KRUG)).
Oversight of the fast paced development of this specialized anti-body belonged to OnlineSecurity's programming division; OnlineLabs.Com, whose EVP Charlie Balot said; "The Anti-QAZ.Worm resides on the host network; listening to the holes that the Chinese Worm attempts to crawl through, and then effectively places road blocks at every juncture."
OnlineSecurity Director of Research, Sir Dystic explained, "Hundreds of thousands of computers and networks are vulnerable to the QAZ.Worm; it is now known as the worlds # 4 virus and has morphed into multiple mutations making detection more difficult with every transfiguration."
With the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Microsoft has been conducting a massive internal audit of their computer systems to determine the extent and severity of the attack. However, a senior Microsoft Official, speaking on condition of anonymity suggested that the attack was launched on the software company after the QAZ.Worm was loaded by a hacker — perhaps by e-mail — onto an unidentified Microsoft employee’s computer.
The employee then possibly used the computer periodically to check e-mail and work on Microsoft’s corporate network. The Chinese Worm may have secretly stolen the password files and e-mailed them to the hacker, allowing him later to log on to Microsoft’s computers posing as the authorized employee.
OnlineSecurity is actively installing the Anti-QAZ.Worm on client networks for protection against the Chinese Worm attack. Laykin continued; "Many companies that operate networks today act in much the same manner as people who once smoked cigarettes with impunity - unaware of the risks associated with the behavior. OnlineSecurity has worked to bring clarity to the decision making process"
OnlineSecurity, established
in 1997, is a global leader in investigating high technology and Internet
crimes and providing for the online protection of corporate and government
assets. The company’s services include
implementing state of the art network security, investigating Internet and
digital thefts and frauds, and in providing high-technology litigation support.
The company pioneered the specialty
of “Internet Investigations,” and has full-fledged investigative and forensic
practice dedicated to the investigation and protection of digital and online
assets. OnlineSecurity is developing
a suite of products that allow corporations to track and monitor the illegal
or improper sale of their online products. These products will enable owners of trademarks, services marks,
copyrights and trade secrets, to take a pro-active role in protecting their
intellectual property by identifying and locating potential infringement on
the Internet. OnlineSecurity, through
its iProtect Product group, has also developed proprietary methodologies for
the identification and tracking of cyber squatters. OnlineSecurity’s clients include international law firms, corporations
and high technology companies. Additional
information about OnlineSecurity is available through its web site at www.OnlineSecurity.com
|
For editorial
information please contact Laykin Communications
Ms. Veronica
Choo Tel: (852)
2894 8105 Fax: (852)
2577 5817 E-mail: laykin@netvigator.com |
For product
information please contact OnlineSecurity
/ OnlineLabs, Inc. Ms. Sharon
Balot (x214) Tel: (310)
470 7833 Fax: (310)
470 2437 E-mail: sharon@onlinelabs.com |