Government and Industry Groups Warn “Code Red” Internet Worm Ready for Serious Strike; Urge Preventative Measures

WHO: Ronald Dick, Director, National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC)

Kenneth Watson, Chairman, Partnership for Critical Infrastructure Security (PCIS)

Representatives from:

Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office (CIAO)

Federal Computer Incidence Response Center (FedCIRC)

National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC)

Information Technology Association of America (ITAA)

Microsoft Corporation CERT Coordination Center

Internet Security Systems (ISS) SANS Institute

Internet Security Alliance (ISA)

WHAT: Press conference to address threat posed by “Code Red” Internet Worm and to advise organizations with Internet-connected computer systems to take immediate action to respond to the threat.

WHEN: Monday, July 30, 2001 3:00pm

WHERE: Ronald Reagan International Trade Center 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC, Horizon Ballroom, first floor

Background: The Code Red Internet worm continues to pose a threat to users and is poised to strike again on July 31st, at 8pm EDT when a stronger version weaves its way through systems across the globe. It is very likely that this Distributed Denial of Service could impact businesses and home users as the Internet slows down dramatically. The Code Red worm takes advantage of a buffer overrun vulnerability on certain systems, allowing the attacker to gain control over an infected server. Most system administrators and users will not even know they have been compromised.

An important technical advisory was issued by the participating groups on Sunday, July 29 at 3:00pm EDT. Visit www.digitalisland.net/coderedalert to read the advisory. Industry and government groups involved in this briefing have been coordinating to minimize threats posed by the worm.

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