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IM worm squirming through Skype

Internet phone company Skype is warning about a new piece of malware spreading through the software's instant messaging feature.
Written by Ryan Naraine, Contributor
IM worm squirming through Skype
Internet phone company Skype is warning about a new piece of malware spreading through the software's instant messaging feature.

The confirmation comes on the heels of forum posts from Skype users asking for help deciphering IMs from contacts attempting to lure them into clicking on a rigged URL.

According to Skype Villu Arak, the link has been traced to W32.Ramex.A, a malware file targeting Windows users (98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Server 2003).

Users whose computers are infected with this virus will send a chat message to other Skype users asking them to click on a web link that can infect the computer of the person who receives the message.

Please note that Skype users ONLY become infected after they have downloaded the link and run the malicious software. The chat message, of which there are several versions, is cleverly written and may appear to be a legitimate chat message, which may fool some users into clicking on the link.

Trend Micro has a technical description of this piece of malware. More at Techmeme.

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