Security experts have discovered a network of 74,000 computers infected with a virus that stole internal information from companies and government agencies.
The unusual fact about what happened is that infiltrated the computer network was uncovered. The incident demonstrates the dangers of keeping important data computers connected to an open Internet.
More than 2,400 organizations, including financial institutions and energy companies, as well as federal agencies have been infiltrated by the virus, according to security firm that discovered NetWitness Corp..
NetWitness not name the companies or agencies whose computers were exposed. The Wall Street Journal newspaper said the companies affected include Merck & Co., Cardinal Health Inc., Paramount Pictures and Juniper Networks Inc.
Merck said in a statement Thursday that a computer company had been infiltrated by the virus but did not steal crucial information. The other three companies did not return calls from The Associated Press.
The victims appear to have been the target of cyber attack, unlike other computer attacks with Google Inc. that forced the popular Internet browser to threaten to withdraw their offices in China. That's an important distinction because it shows how the secrets on the Internet may fall into wrong hands even when the criminals do not specifically seek them.
"These problems are out there and are ubiquitous," said Amit Yoran, president of NetWitness and former manager of cybersecurity at the Department of Homeland Security.
Parts of the virus detected by the firm are likely active. He said the network appears to come from computers in Eastern Europe and China but it is not clear whether the attackers are found there.
The virus in this case acted as a "botnet" is concerned that computer networks end up being run by remote control and act like robots. Computers are infected when their owners go to Internet portals or risky material open an email attachment.
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