Skipi worm jumps on Skype users

Skype users have been warned of a new worm which spreads using the VoIP application's chat function.

The worm, dubbed Skipi by F-Secure and Pykspa by Symantec, arrives in Skype chat boxes as a link to an online Jpeg image. The message urges the recipient to check out the link, but doing so will infect the user's PC.

One of the messages reads: 'Hey, where I put ur photo ;-) now u populr. oops sorry please dont look there. look what crazy photo Tiffany sent me, looks cool.'

Once the link is clicked on the computer is prompted to run or save a .scr file. If this is done the worm enters the system and forwards itself via the Skype application.

"Please note that Skype users only become infected after they have downloaded the link and run the malicious software," said Skype in an advisory.

"The chat message, of which there are several versions, is cleverly written and may appear to be legitimate, which may fool some users into clicking on the link.

"Our security team is actively engaging with domain owners to shut down malicious websites being used to spread the virus."

See also:

Yahoo benefits from Skype outage

Skype to offer free week of calls to premium users  24 Aug 2007

Skype absolves Microsoft from outage blame

Our fault entirely, admits VoIP firm  22 Aug 2007

Skype crash blamed on Patch Tuesday

Windows restarts caused flood of log-ins that crippled network  21 Aug 2007

Skype denies DoS attack on VoIP service

VoIP provider stays tight lipped about cause of outage  17 Aug 2007

Skype hangs up on users

P2P networking issues blamed  16 Aug 2007

Like this story? Spread the news by clicking below:

 del.icio.us     Digg this     reddit!