Virus Alert : The Obama Head Worm

by Lee on February 2, 2009

in Malware

The distribution of this new worm is quite low at the moment so, hopefully, you won’t be infected.

However, if you are, you might find it quite bizarre if you are not aware of what it is.

So read on -

obama-head-worm

If you switch your computer on this morning (Monday) then you may be greeted by the sight of a floating head of the new American President, Barack Obama.

This strange new worm was first spotted last week and, for reasons unknown, only seems to come out to play on Mondays.

Although the worm spreads via USB drive and takes advantage of autorun features, much like the confiker virus, it is not deemed to be a serious threat as it has so far failed to associate itself with any botnets or information-gathering activities.

Strangely, it would seem to be designed purely for the purpose of floating a small picture of Obama around the bottom right corner of your desktop, but only on Mondays.

Other than that annoyance, the only downside to the worm is the fact that it has been coded so poorly that it may hog system resources, causing the infected machine to grind to a virtual standstill.

As ever, the best cure is prevention.

Ensure that you are running a quality antivirus program and that it is fully updated.

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  • { 9 comments… read them below or add one }

    Diety February 5, 2009 at 2:18 pm

    This type of viruses I can understand, because I can actually believe they were made for “fun”. I don’t mind Obamas head, or anything else for that matter floating around every monday, as long as it keeps it’s dirty virus paws away from my files and hardware :P

    Reply

    Lee February 5, 2009 at 2:22 pm

    I quite agree that I wouldn’t want anything messing with my files but I’m not sure I’d be too happy waking up to Obama every Monday morning either!

    Reply

    MrShell February 2, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    I heard of this today but thought it was a mate joking around. Thanks for pointing out that its reel.

    Reply

    Lee February 2, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    You’re welcome MrShell.

    Reply

    Karen S February 2, 2009 at 6:08 pm

    Surely this is a joke? A worm that only works on Mondays?

    Reply

    Lee February 2, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    No, it is absolutely true.

    Reply

    Bobby Revell February 2, 2009 at 8:11 am

    Doesn’t sound like too bad a virus, though I can’t understand how most people actually get infected. I went all last year without virus protection or spyware protection and never once caught anything. I am now inoculated again, but I surf safely and use a router and firewall:)

    Reply

    Lee February 2, 2009 at 8:13 am

    Hi Bobby, good to see you around again and hope you are well.

    I too have gone months, maybe even years, without picking up any infections despite not running anti-virus.

    I guess common sense counts for a lot.

    Reply

    Lee October 3, 2009 at 11:54 am

    I’ll have to take your word for that as I don’t live in the U.S. but have heard a lot of divided opinion on the subject.

    Reply

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