RSSWikipedia Used to Spread Virus
by Nate Mook
The open nature of online encyclopedia Wikipedia in which anyone can submit and edit articles is what has made the service a staple of the Internet. However, that same openness was used on Friday to hijack an entry and trick users into downloading a virus.
The German edition of Wikipedia was used as the vehicle to convince users to install what they thought was a "fix" for a new variant of the Blaster worm, which affected over 50,000 Windows computers in the summer of 2003. The attackers then sent out a German-language e-mail purporting to be from Wikipedia that told users to visit the page.
"The good news is that the authorities at Wikipedia quickly identitifed and edited the article on their site," remarked Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for security vendor Sophos. "Unfortunately, however, the previous version of the page was still present in the archive and was continuing to point to malicious code. The hackers were thus able to send out spam pointing people to the page on Wikipedia, and try and lead them into infection."
Wikipedia has been often criticized for containing potentially misleading information due to its open architecture and self-policiing. Politicians have used it to edit their backgrounds and even vandalize opponents' entries. But until now, the service has never been used to in an attempt to actively spread a virus.
"Everyone should exercise caution and ensure they have appropriate defenses in place to protect their computer systems," added Cluley. "Additionally, people should remember that if there really is a new threat on the internet, you're likely to hear about it first from the security companies, not an online encyclopedia."
13 Comments
This writer recently registered as a Wikipedia User and got blocked when he edited the wikipedia listings under the subcategory Internet ad serving companies and Zedo. His computer got blocked by adminstrator Mongo under the recommendation of the adminstrator ZimZalaBim when Wikipedia User DoGooderJohnnyD complained that I'm editing the wikipedia content to reflect the fact that Zedo is not an adserving company but an adware. His computer is now unblocked. But he is not allowed to edit. He is only allowed to comment in Wikipedia User Talk.
Funny. His computer used to have a lot of PopUps. After he registered at Wikipedia and started calling Zedo an adware the pop ups have stopped but his browser Internet Explorer has been hijacked. He had to instal the browser again.
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Wikipedia relies on the honesty and decency of people to enter info on whatever topic. It's a very good concept if we are honest to ourselves and if some of us go to anger management. But in reality Wikipedia is abused on a daily basis, and quite a lot of descriptions of important personalities are written by angry people with nothing to do with their lives.
Now we have a virus spreading from their web site. Great, another reason to avoid this web site.
Don't rely on Wikipedia for true honest descriptions/definitions. Always double check their info.
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psycros,
Is it still ok to be Japophobic or Germamophobic?
Islamaphobia is crap and has nothing to do with a "new" story here at beta news based on nothing but a rehash of an old story, wuth nothing new to tell.
What's important to note is how quickly Wikipedia was able to adjust to this threat vs. how many unpatched sites continue even today to spread this virus - but unfortunately the article fails to explain that wikipedia did right by the community while others still poison the internet.
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While I was reading this article Firefox reported an "inactive script" and then almost locked up. Coincidence?
Oh, and as to Tarikur...thanks for admitting your a Muslim. You're correct that an awful lot of non-Muslims are indeed becoming "Islamophobic"..and for very, very good reasons.
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Once you are on The Colbert Report, you become a caricature. However, those who use Wikipedia probably know that.
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Only lazy people use wikipedia, Wikipedia may be easy but it is full of craps. All the controversal topic on Islam is dominated by Islamophobic racist people. Most of thing on Islam is inaccurate or popular misconception or they don't tell positive side or alternative views. I am saying this as a Muslim.
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If you don't like it, change it!
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Are you surprised? Until the Muslim community world wide stands up and proclaims very loudly (the wikipedia being one mechanism) that what Bin-Laden and his ilk stand for is NOT the viewpoint of most Muslims, most ignorant people will continue to believe that all Muslims support the extremists.
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Catch a virus from a real encyclopedia....thats classic.
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From the Story "summer of 2003".
So what makes this a story now?
Have the editors seen that other Big Story?
Someone discovered how to turn corn into a flake like breakfast food, they call it of all things "Corn Flakes"!!
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The Internet is becoming more and more like the real world every day. I'm sure that over the ages, a lot of people have caught viruses from printed encyclopedias like Encyclopedia Britannica, et al, especially when folks sneeze in it or users don't wash their hands after handling one...
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"Additionally, people should remember that if there really is a new threat on the internet, you're likely to hear about it first from the security companies, not an online encyclopedia."
There's the bottom line, folks...
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All I can do is laugh.
LOLz
hehe, funny!
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