Security experts are warning that vulnerability assessment worms, which check computers for security flaws and relay the information back to the author, are likely to become more of a threat.

James Kay, the chief technology officer at e-mail security company Blackspider Technologies, said Friday that vulnerability assessment worms are quite rare at the moment. However, their number will probably increase as virus writers focus their attacks more carefully and try to avoid detection, he said.

"We haven't seen many of them so far, but it's an example of a trend that could accelerate," Kay said. "The idea of reconnaissance fits our view that worms are becoming lower volume and more targeted. In order to produce targeted attacks this information (about the computer's vulnerabilities) would be useful."
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