The Fizzer computer virus is causing headaches for more than just its victims. The mass-mailing computer virus, which continued to spread on Wednesday, nearly overwhelmed several Internet relay chat (IRC) networks, prompting the operators of more than 50 networks to band together to stave off the digital infection. “It was almost to the point of taking down our network,” said Tyrel “Nemo” Haveman, an administrator for the Mysteria IRC network. “We noticed it first around midday in the U.S. on Monday. Within a couple of hours, we had 500 connections.” Mysteria normally has only 150 to 250 people online at any one time, he added. The digital deluge is caused by a side effect of the virus. Fizzer attempts to connect to IRC networks from an infected PC to open up a communications channel that can be used to control a victim’s system. The virus was so successful at spreading that the massive influx of new connections threatened to overwhelm the IRC networks reached by the program. Full Story
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