Anti-Virus experts from F-Secure are warning of a new virus which poses as a beta version of MSN Messenger 8. MSN Messenger 8 is currently undergoing a closed beta, and is not yet available for download.
The virus is taking advantage of the fact that many chat users are keen to get hold of the new version of MSN Messenger, to the extent that beta participants are selling their access to the service on popular auction sites. However, the purported beta being offered is in fact a virus, which can turn a PC into a zombie under the control of the virus writers.
There are currently two ways to become infected by the virus. Users can download it from a site where it is claimed to have been leaked, or they can catch it from an infected messenger contact. When the downloaded executable is run, it spams the users' messenger contacts list with a download link to the infected file, and connects the users machine to a botnet server.
As always, we'd recommend against downloading and installing software unless you know it to be from a reputable source. It is also highly recommended that you run a regularly updated anti-virus solution in conjunction with a firewall.
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