A new worm is treading in the secret loopholes of your Yahoo IM and Skype account. As reported by Internet security company - Bkis, the new virus initially affected only Yahoo IM users but recently a more potent version of the virus has attacked Skype users as well. 

How it affects?

While using your Skype or Yahoo IM, a message will pop out from nowhere. Normally the message is disguised and appears to be from one of your friends on chat list. A common message would be like "How does my hair look like?" Along with this, a file of .jpg format will be attached for your perusal. Since you get the message from your chat buddies, it is but normal for you to click on this .jpg file link to see the hairstyle of your chat buddy. As you click this link, you are redirected to a new site which has a similar interface as Rapidshare.com and you are prompted to download a file. This file has been cleverly disguised as a .jpg file but it is actually an executable file with a .com extension. The moment you download this file, your computer gets infected and just as you got this message and link, your friends also start getting the same message from you. 

Images courtesy, Bkis. 

The harmful affects of this Worm

 Infects Word files with malicious content. 

Can take commands from the Hacker via IRC server. 

Blocs Anti-Virus Programs.

Can hide its files and folders with ease. 

Users can't access helpful sites on Internet. 

Transmits via USB and Hard Disk Drives. (portable)

How to stay safe?

Update your anti-virus.

Do not click on links that look suspicious. The example that I gave above "How does my hair look?" is just one type of message. You may get some other message from your chat buddies which may be a virus. The best time to stop is to recognize the Rapidshare.com like interface and just close the browser tab at that moment itself. 

Install a Fire Wall to monitor what files on your computer access the IRC server from your computer. Many free versions of fire-walls are available on the Internet. Most of them are good enough for personal use. 

The worm has been named W32.Skyhoo.Worm and considered very harmful. A very peculiar thing, however, is that if your computer does not have Skype or Yahoo IM, the worm exists your PC without harm. Stay connected for more updates.