[kictanet] Microsoft Collaborates With Industry to Disrupt Conficker Worm

[alice]

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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