Prolexic Technologies announces that it has enhanced its global network defense systems to protect against the DDoS attack capabilities of the recently publicized Conficker worm. Prolexic's current clients are already protected, and new clients can be fully protected immediately following service turn-up.
Conficker is reported to be one of the largest botnets ever created. As of January 26, 2009, Conficker had infected more than 15 million computers, making it one of the most widespread infections in recent times.* According to Symantec the Conficker worm has recently been modified to cause even more damage.
According to Paul Sop, Prolexic's Chief Technology Officer: "Conficker's DDoS capabilities are a side-effect of its proliferation and update capabilities. However, Conficker's author(s) could weaponize this botnet at any time and launch massive DDoS attacks.
We've recently seen the number of domains that Conficker can attack in a day grow from 250 to 50,000, and Prolexic has taken the necessary steps to protect its customers from the potential damage that could occur should one of the targeted domains be theirs."
The general approach to Conficker, and other viruses designed to wreak havoc on compromised PCs, has been to address these at the source by updating virus scanning and PC protection software in order to disinfect compromised PCs. In the case of Conficker and other "next generation" worms there is a threat to externally targeted businesses and networks. Attacks can be launched simultaneously from millions of PCs, similar to a DDoS attack.
Prolexic's approach complements the PC security software companies' activities. Prolexic's patented, 'in the cloud' network protection services can stop devastating attacks before they reach their targeted online business or network. Prolexic's global network has unique capabilities, including the ability stop millions of attacking IP addresses at once.
The recent Conficker updates are expected to make it more difficult for anti-virus specialists and others to block the domains used in attacks. There will surely be more worms after Conficker, and Prolexic will continue to develop solutions that will protect networks from the potential effects of these next-generation attacks.
