Mytob
Home > Security Definitions - Mytob
SearchSecurity.com Definitions (Powered by WhatIs.com)
EMAIL THIS
LOOK UP TECH TERMS Powered by: WhatIs.com
Search listings for thousands of IT terms:
Browse tech terms alphabetically:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Mytob



Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   

DEFINITION - Mytob is a worm used by hackers to gather personal and financial information through phishing, a form of e-mail fraud where the perpetrator sends out legitimate-looking messages that appear to come from well-known and trustworthy Web sites. Since Mytob first originated in February 2005, numerous variants have emerged. Some forms of the worm cause infected computers to send out e-mail messages containing a link to a Web site that hosts rogue programming code. Earlier versions appear as e-mail attachments.

After Mytob has been downloaded to a computer, it forwards itself to all the e-mail addresses gathered from the infected computer. In addition to exposing critical information stored in personal and business computers, Mytob can convert infected computers into so-called zombies for the purpose of spreading spam. Some variants disable registry editing tools, firewalls, anti-spyware programs, and anti-virus software.

Mytob can infect systems running Microsoft Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me (Millennium Edition), NT, Server 2003, and XP.

LAST UPDATED: 09 Nov 2005

Read more about Mytob:
- Symantec describes this worm and describes general practices to minimize the risk of exposure.
- MoMusings describes how Mytob works.
- The originators of Mytob and a similar worm, Zotob, were caught by American investigators.


Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.
Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


RELATED CONTENT
Microsoft Word zero-day being actively exploited
Attackers are actively targeting a flaw in Microsoft Word, according to Symantec.
New defenses for automated SQL injection attacks
By automating SQL injection attacks, hackers have found a way to expedite the process of finding and exploiting vulnerable websites. The old defenses...
Are there antivirus suites that pick up more than just run-of-the-mill viruses?
There are some rare forms of malware that antivirus software doesn't pick up on, but there are some good tools to remove all sorts of malware.

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS
Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary
bot worm  (SearchSecurity.com)
A bot worm is a self-replicating malware program that resides in current memory, turns infected computers into zombies (or bots) and transmits itself...
cache poisoning  (SearchSecurity.com)


TechTarget Security Media
Information Security View this month\\'s issue and subscribe today.
Information Security Decisions Apply online for free conference admission.
SearchSecurity.com
HomeNewsMagazineWebcastsWhite PapersLearningAdviceTopicsEventsAbout Us

About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
TechTarget provides enterprise IT professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective IT purchase decisions and managing their organizations' IT projects - with its network of technology-specific Web sites, events and magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Reprints  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2003 - 2008, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts