Netsky writers claim credit for Sasser worm

Code in the latest Netsky worm asserts that its unknown authors also created a new, virulent worm. The unknown team of programmers who created the latest variant of the Netsky virus claim to be the authors of the Sasser worm -- and researchers have found evidence that supports that assertion. The programmers, who have referred to themselves as the Skynet Antivirus Team, may have been responsible for almost 30 variations of mass-mailing computer virus Netsky. Now, within the code of Netsky.AC, the team has claimed credit for creating and releasing the Sasser worm.

The boasts are credible, Joe Stewart, senior security researcher at network protection firm Lurhq, said Monday. Lurhq has found similarities between the code of the Netsky line of viruses and the Sasser worm.

"You can never really tie code back to an author," he said. "The fact that [the viruses and the worm] carry common code, that I'm sure of. Whether the authors of the two programs are the same, that I can't say."

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