[kictanet] Microsoft Collaborates With Industry to Disrupt Conficker Worm
alice
alice at apc.org
Fri Feb 13 22:56:46 EAT 2009
http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-12feb09-en.htm
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Microsoft Collaborates With Industry to Disrupt Conficker Worm
12 February 2009
Today, Microsoft announced a partnership with technology industry
leaders and academia to implement a coordinated, global response to the
Conficker (aka Downadup) worm.
Together with security researchers, the Internet Corporation for
Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), and operators within the Domain Name
System, Microsoft coordinated a response designed to disable domains
targeted by Conficker. Microsoft also announced a $250,000 reward for
information that results in the arrest and conviction of those
responsible for illegally launching the Conficker malicious code on the
Internet.
"As part of Microsoft's ongoing security efforts, we constantly look for
ways to use a diverse set of tools and develop methodologies to protect
our customers," said George Stathakopoulos, general manager of the
Trustworthy Computing Group at Microsoft. "By combining our expertise
with that of the broader community we can expand the boundaries of
defense to better protect people worldwide."
As cyberthreats have rapidly evolved, a greater level of industry
coordination and new tactics for communication and threat mitigation are
required. To optimize the multiple initiatives being employed across the
security industry and within academia, Microsoft helped unify these
broad efforts to implement a community-based defense to disrupt the
spread of Conficker.
Along with Microsoft, organizations involved in this collaborative
effort include ICANN, NeuStar, VeriSign, CNNIC, Afilias, Public Internet
Registry, Global Domains International Inc., M1D Global, AOL, Symantec,
F-Secure, ISC, researchers from Georgia Tech, the Shadowserver
Foundation, Arbor Networks and Support Intelligence.
"The best way to defeat potential botnets like Conficker/Downadup is by
the security and Domain Name System communities working together," said
Greg Rattray, chief Internet security advisor at ICANN. "ICANN
represents a community that's all about coordinating those kinds of
efforts to keep the Internet globally secure and stable."
"Microsoft's approach combines technology innovation and effective
cross-sector partnerships to help protect people from cybercriminals,"
Stathakopoulos said. "We hope these efforts help to contain the threat
posed by Conficker, as well as hold those who illegally launch malware
accountable."
More information about how to protect yourself from Conficker can be
found at http://www.microsoft.com/conficker. Customers interested in
learning more about staying safe online can visit
http://www.microsoft.com/protect.
Microsoft's reward offer stems from the company's recognition that the
Conficker worm is a criminal attack. Microsoft wants to help the
authorities catch the criminals responsible for it. Residents of any
country are eligible for the reward, according to the laws of that
country, because Internet viruses affect the Internet community
worldwide. Individuals with information about the Conficker worm should
contact their international law enforcement agencies.
*About ICANN: *
ICANN is responsible for the global coordination of the Internet's
system of unique identifiers like domain names (like .org, .museum and
country codes like .uk) and the addresses used in a variety of Internet
protocols that help computers reach each other over the Internet.
Careful management of these resources is vital to the Internet's
operation, so ICANN's global stakeholders meet regularly to develop
policies that ensure the Internet's ongoing security and stability.
ICANN is an internationally organized, public benefit non-profit
company. For more information please visit: www.icann.org
<http://www.icann.org/>.
*Media Contacts: *
ICANN: press at icann.org <mailto:press at icann.org>
International: Andrew Robertson
Edelman (London)
Phone: +44 7921 588 770
Email: andrew.robertson at edelman.com <mailto:andrew.robertson at edelman.com>
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