On November 20, 2008, security analyst Philip Porras discovered what started out as a seemingly trivial worm virus not unlike the many he and his colleagues had caught previously. But what caught the expert’s attention this time was the unprecedented rate at which the new virus multiplied across networks through a vulnerability in Windows, as well the stealthy elegance with which it was designed.
Over the next year and a half, Porras and a crack team of top-level analysts from across the industry dubbed themselves the “Conficker Cabal”, and have relentlessly pursued the containment of the “Conficker” worm virus as well as its dubious origins. As of now, these cyber-sleuths have been engaged in a high tech game of chess with the worm’s creators and remain baffled as to its source, or even its intended purpose. What they do know is that an estimated 6.5 million infected PCs lie in wait to the worm’s command, their owners none the wiser.
The thrilling saga of the Conficker Worm is detailed at length in a new article in The Atlantic, and is astounding not only because it borders on espionage, but also because the virus’ mystery remains unsolved.
Tags: conficker worm, security
