AOL Blocks ICQ Worm

America Online has taken steps to stop the spread of a worm that began attacking ICQ instant messaging users this week.

The fix, which was implemented on Wednesday, was applied to ICQ's servers and does not require any action from ICQ users, according to an AOL spokesperson.

Virus researchers first detected the worm Tuesday. Dubbed "Bizex," the program spreads through instant-messaging exchanges, a less common method for viruses than e-mail transmission.

Specific Targets

Kaspersky Labs, which initially disseminated information about the worm, notes that it only affected users running ICQ through the ICQ client application, not those tapping the ICQ network through outside applications such as Trillian. AOL says that only ICQ Pro users were affected. Those running other versions of ICQ, including ICQ Lite, were not vulnerable.

A spokesperson says AOL is working toward a solution for ICQ Pro users whose computers were affected and are now having trouble running ICQ. The company recommends that its users run and maintain antivirus software, she says.

Instant messaging is attracting increasing attention from those spreading malicious and deceptive applications. A virus-like game that installs a program to serve advertisements on a user's PC tore through the ranks of AOL Instant Messenger users earlier this month.