A new virus, specifically targeting computers connected to peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, was added to anti-virus product Dr.Web`s list late last month, and places P2P users at risk, the vendor says.
"It is actively propagating in different file sharing networks," warns Steven Cohen, MD of Dr.Web distributor Triple S Solutions.
The virus, known as a polymorphic Win32.Polipos type, implants code into processors and modifies files, notes Cohen, adding certain anti-virus programmes are disabled or neutralised by the virus.
Spreading across P2Ps, the virus infiltrates computers connected to these networks and, being run, secretly makes them accessible to other users of the network, he explains.
Flash in the pan?
However, Justin Stanford, CEO of anti-virus firm Eset Southern Africa, a producer of the NOD32 anti-virus system, plays down the polymorphic Win32.Polipos.
"I haven`t heard anything about it lately - maybe it was a 'flash in the pan` or perhaps it has been taken care of," he says.
"Generally, there is very little going on at the moment in terms of viruses," he adds.
He believes most anti-virus programs have the capability to handle polymorphism (the ability of the virus to constantly change itself, altering its own signatures).
But Cohen maintains Dr.Web analysts proved the existence of a new virus, "and developed an anti-virus that successfully detects different modifications of this complicated polymorphic virus".
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