Celebrity-obsessed internet users are being targeted by a new worm that tries to launch a Denial of Service (DoS) attack on Microsoft's Windows Update website.
Virus writers have released the Ahker-F worm (W32/Ahker-F) spreads via peer-to-peer applications, email and IRC using messages such as: "Watch Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt caught on TAPE! SEXY CLIP! WATCH IT!"
If the attached file, Clip.zip, is opened and executed the worm will attempt to spread to other internet users and launch a DoS attack on Microsoft. It will also attempt to spread itself over file-sharing networks using a variety of lewd sounding filenames such as PORNO.exe, XXX.exe, Naked WWE Divas.exe, Naked Britney.exe, Naked Celebrity.exe, and Celeb uncensord.exe.
The worm will also disable security applications on Windows computers and block access to anti-virus sites.
"People's appetite for salacious gossip is insatiable, and some may be tempted to run what appear to be pornographic movie files distributed across the internet," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos.
"If people want to read and look at this kind of stuff they may be better off picking up a copy of their favourite magazine, rather than using their PC," he added.
The writer of the virus has left a number of clues to their identity within the worm's code, including: "Agent Hacker rules!" and "Genes don't contain any record of humain (sic) history, you'll NEVER catch me!(Agent Hacker – Bazzi").
Earlier this month SC reported spammers were also using 'star-power'. Cashing in on the success of the Desperate Housewives television series, hordes of spam emails have been sent out, claiming to be from housewives looking for an extra-marital affair.
