Businesses at risk from Rinbot virus

Virus targeting weaknesses in Symantec software

Rinbot virus is exploiting Symantec software

Many Fortune 500 companies which are protected by security vendor Symantec are at risk from a new version of the rinbot virus, it emerged last night.

The virus appears to be deliberately targeted at weaknesses in Symnatec's anti-virus software.

'Traditionally hackers always went after Microsoft's anti-virus programs but now they're targeting other programs such as Symantec's,' said Graham Cluley, a senior technology consultant with Sophos.

'We do know that it has hit CNN Time Warner in the US. That's the most high-profile place but we are aware of it hitting elsewhere,' he said.

The virus exploits security loopholes in anti-virus software and then spreads through the network creating zombies to form a botnet.

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