What Is the Mydoom Virus?
Mydoom, also known as Novarg, or Shimgapi, is one of the most destructive computer worms in history. It first appeared in January 2004 and quickly spread through email systems and peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing networks like Kazaa, infecting millions of computers worldwide.
Origin and Discovery
Discovered: January 26, 2004
Author: Unknown
Purpose: Primarily to launch DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attacks and allow remote access to infected systems.
Language used: The worm was compiled for Windows systems and written in C++.
Its creator was never identified, but cybersecurity experts believe it may have been commissioned by spammers or cybercriminals in Eastern Europe or Russia.
How It Worked (Technical Breakdown)
1. Spreads via Email and Kazaa
- Victims received an email with a spoofed sender address and a .exe attachment.
- Subject lines varied (e.g., "Error", "Mail Delivery System", "Test").
- When the attachment was opened, it would:
- Install the worm.
- Scan the victim's address book and send it to others.
2. Backdoor Creation
- Opened a TCP port 3127 on infected machines, giving attackers remote access.
- Could allow the computer to be used in botnets, spam campaigns, or other attacks.
3. DDoS Attack Target
* Programmed to launch a DDoS attack against SCO Group’s website on February 1, 2004.
* A later variant targeted Microsoft.
4. Variants
* The original worm was followed by Mydoom.B, Mydoom.C, etc., each with slight variations.
* Mydoom.B was more aggressive and could disable antivirus software and Windows system tools.
Impact and Damage
This was the fastest-spreading email worm ever, surpassing even ILOVEYOU in speed.
At its peak, 1 in 12 emails on the internet were estimated to carry Mydoom.
Damages: Estimated at $38–50 billion in economic losses due to:
- Productivity loss
- Server downtime
- Security response costs
How It Was Contained
- Antivirus companies quickly released removal tools and patches.
- Email providers and ISPs began filtering infected emails.
- Public awareness and improved spam filtering helped reduce its spread.
However, due to the peer-to-peer spreading mechanism, Mydoom remnants persisted for years.
Legacy and Lessons
Mydoom set the stage for the future:
- Email-borne malware
- Botnets and remote backdoor exploitation
- Better awareness around social engineering attacks
To this day, it serves as a case study in cybersecurity courses and malware analysis.
How to Stay Safe (General Advice)
Even though Mydoom itself is no longer a major threat, the tactics it used still are:
- Don't open suspicious email attachments.
- Keep your system and antivirus software up to date.
- Disable autorun features for email clients and USB devices.
- Use firewalls and regularly scan your system.