Microsoft announced on February 12, 2009 a partnership with technology industry leaders and academia to implement a coordinated, global response to the Conficker (aka Downadup) worm, a press release by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) stated.
Together with security researchers, 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," General Manager of the Trustworthy Computing Group at Microsoft George Stathakopoulos said.
"By combining our expertise with that of the broader community we can expand the boundaries of defense to better protect people worldwide," he added.
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," Greg Rattray, chief Internet security advisor at ICANN noted.
"ICANN represents a community that's all about coordinating those kinds of efforts to keep the Internet globally secure and stable," he continued.
"Microsoft's approach combines technology innovation and effective cross-sector partnerships to help protect people from cybercriminals," Stathakopoulos highlighted.
"We hope these efforts help to contain the threat posed by Conficker, as well as hold those who illegally launch malware accountable," he concluded.
More information about how to be protected 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.
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.
SOURCE:AGIPNEWS
