"Using a piece of javascript embedded into a web link, the hackers force users of the open-source browser to join IRC networks and flood channels with diatribes that include the same internet address," writes The Register's Dan Goodin. "As IRC users with Firefox follow the link, their browsers are also forced to spam the channels, giving the attack a viral quality that has has caused major disruptions for almost a month."

"The malicious javascript exploits a feature that allows Firefox to send data over a variety of ports that aren't related to web browsing," Goodin writes.

Click here to read the article at The Register.