Virus Infected Computers of Two Local Churches in Knox County

The computer systems of two famous churches in Knox County were infected by a malicious virus, as reported by VOLUNTEERTV on April 24, 2008.

As per the reports, in the third week of April 2008, security experts of the churches were trying to find out the problem and fix over 200 computers during that week.

Moreover, reports added that two servers and 16 computers in Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church, located in West Knoxville, have been detected infected with virus.

Gene Dunn, Network Administrator, Cedar Springs Presbyterian, said that the virus is very fast, destructive and complex, as reported by VOLUNTEERTV on April 24, 2008.

The other church, which is being infected by same virus, is First Baptist Concord, situated in Farragut. In the church, 187 computers along with 9 servers are infested with virus and the security experts are now working to remove virus.

Dunn said that the attack seems to be targeting those churches that have something in common. It could be a Website that all these churches visit.

Security experts have found striking features in the virus. It stops the computer from visiting an antivirus Website and also blocks the computer from going into safe mode, which is very essential for repairing it.

Security analysts said that it took one week for both the churches to identify the virus. They completed the recovery process on April 25, 2008. Now the issue of concern is that everything needs to be clear from virus so that the servers can be linked with the network.

In the meantime, both the churches failed to locate the origin of the virus. Besides, the total loss done by the virus is not yet estimated.

With the revelation of this incident, one thing has become clear that small churches' investment in securing systems is insufficient as they can't afford increased spending on it. Hence, they are leaving their networks and computer database opened for attacks and compromise by malwares, spywares and viruses.

Hence, security experts suggested that a little more investment by churches on security software, most particularly on church data security, could help congregation and their personal data from being stolen by attackers.

Related article: Virus Infects Through USB Drives

» SPAMfighter News - 4/30/2008