Linux zombies ready for DoS attack

The government-funded CERT Coordination Center says hundreds of computers, most running Red Hat Linux with basic, default configurations, have had programs installed that will allow a single controller to orchestrate attacks like those that disabled Web sites including Yahoo.com, Amazon.com, and CNN.com last February. The attackers have utilized two Linux vulnerabilities discovered since July to set up Tribal Flood Networks that could, according to CERT, significantly impact the Internet. Software patches exist that minimize the potential for such unauthorized uses of Linux systems.

To learn more, go to msnbc.com or cert.org.