Atak Computer Virus

Also known as Atak.A worm, Atak.B.

Affects only PCs running Windows 95 through Windows XP.

Atak is a mass-mailing worm that tries to turn off the most popular antivirus and firewall applications and then open a back door to give control of the system to the author. Like its predecessor, the worm attempts to avoid being detected by antivirus researchers by going to sleep when scanned.

However, the buzz around the malware - with its reported connection to the terrorist group Al Qaeda—may be greater than the threat itself, security professionals observed.  According to preliminary report, the Worm was written by a Malaysian hacker who had once claimed he would release a potent worm should the United States attack Iraq. Some have taken this to imply a connection between the hacker and the terrorist group Al Qaeda.   However, while a record of a link between the hacker and organized groups has yet to be uncovered, several antivirus companies have found no signature in the Atak.B worm leading to any particular author.