Sasser computer worm wriggles worldwide

May 5, 2004 | Source: NewScientist.com News

More than a million computers around the world have been infected by the “Sasser” computer worm or one of its variants.

Sasser does not rely on email to spread and requires no action by users to infect a machine. Each variant of the worm infects computers across a network by exploiting a bug in a part of Microsoft’s Windows XP and Windows 2000 operating systems called the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS).

“Computers which are not properly protected with anti-virus updates, firewalls and Microsoft’s security patch are asking for trouble,” says Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at UK anti-virus company Sophos.