It was recently discovered that a new threat to internet security was a spyware worm that uses Skype as a way to multiply. Skype is most known for their service of allowing people to make phone calls through the internet. Just over a year ago Skype was acquired by eBay for over two billion dollars and has over seven million subscribers.

In initial reports the worm spreads by the instant messaging tool Skype Chat by asking people to download and run a file known as sp.exe. After the file is run on the individuals computer it installs a form of spyware that steals personal information including passwords. Additional code is downloaded by the worm once it links with a remote server.

However, later researchers found that the spyware infection was in fact a Trojan and not a worm. A security alert was sent out that stated the Trojan used the Skype API or application programming interface by notifying a end user to acknowledge a program that is attempting to get access. The alert by Websense also stated that they found no vulnerability with Skype itself. Therefore, for users of Skype they are warned to be selective when downloading, running or granting access to programs while using the Skype program

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