VIRUS WARNING! Pay attention kids....

[radwriter0555]

Today's tip: VIRUS ALERT - If you receive a message with an attachment named "message.zip" we strongly advise against opening the attachment. Delete the message immediately.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/internet/08/02/worm/index.html

Disguised worm evades antivirus software
From Marsha Walton
CNN
Saturday, August 2, 2003 Posted: 12:53 AM EDT (0453 GMT)

FACT BOX
Here's what users would see in the e-mail carrying the worm:

Subject: your account <account info>

Body:
Hello there,
I would like to inform you about important information regarding your email address. This email address will be expiring. Please read attachment for details.
---
Best regards, Administrator
Attachment: message.zip


ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Computer experts have warned of a computer worm that takes advantage of a flaw in Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser.

The latest problem is called "worm/MiMail.A," also known as W32.Mimail.A@mm.

It's a mass-mailing Internet worm that started spreading late Friday afternoon, and according to Central Command, a computer security company, caught many computer systems administrators by surprise.

"Most corporations have e-mail scanning programs that block the entry of a lot of potentially dangerous programs in incoming e-mails," said Steven Sundermeier of Central Command.

-snip-

EDITED BY ADMIN FOR COPYRIGHT REASONS

[onecitizen]

1. OH NO!!!

I got that yesterday and thought it was weird. Then, I didn't worry cause I've never gotten a virus ever. And I've never gotten one piece of spam at my current address. Oh no! What is this gonna do to my puter?

[charlie]

2. Nothing

If you didn't extract the zip AND open the resulting file, nothing will happen. Delete it and you'll be okay.

[onecitizen]

3. Thanx..........

I didn't unzip it!!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

4. How to avoid a computer virus:

1. Keep your antivirus scanner updated, DAILY.
2. NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER open an attachment unless you are SPECIFICALLY expecting to receive it. DELETE STRANGE, UNEXPECTED ATTACHMENTS IMMEDIATELY, WITHOUT OPENING THEM!!!
3. Don't download strange files from the internet.
4. Keep your antivirus scanner updated, DAILY.

[Mika]

6. Umm.. forgot one

5. Don't use MS Windoze.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

8. Ummmm, actually

there ARE such things as Mac and Linux/Unix viruses, also. No system is 100 percent immune, as much as the anti-M$ people would like to give that impression...

[thermodynamic]

10. I must agree

Few people are currently writing Mac and Linux viruses because they're not as popular.

Mac and Linux do need firewalls, virus and trojan programs, et cetera, just like the windows folk.

Though for any number of immutable arguments, people still shouldn't use Windows (resource hog, is slow, has to be reinstalled often - mostly due to complications with the !^@%#$ registry, crashes if the conditions are just right, is slow, is a resource hog...)

Linux distribtions (such as SuSE's and Mandrake's and Red Hat's) works on most existing hardware and will run many Windows apps right out of the box. There are full-fledged emulators too. All of these solutions cost much less than buying into an alternative platform.

[FlaGranny]

5. Did you open the zip?

If not, just delete it from your inbox and then from your deleted box. No problem. I NEVER open attachments unless I'm expecting them, even if they're from the company I work for. If I think it might be important I'll call them and ask. I never open anything that has RE: in the subject line either, because some viruses take old emails and resend them along with the virus program. But, just in case, I do have a virus program if one does get through.

[eileen from OH]

7. Norton caught it. . .

I had JUST received a live update Friday night and opened up Outlook Express and it caught the three emails with the virus. Norton was able to quarantine 2 of the emails, but unable to quarantine or delete the third. Norton directed me to a fix for it and to the MS site where there is now a patch. So I download the patch and spend an hour or so making sure it's gone, etc. Damned if this morning I don't get the same bloody 3 emails again. Again, Norton caught 'em and could get rid of 2 but not the third. Evidently, the "patch" ain't doin' it. Just downloaded the MS patch AGAIN (in case I screwed up something.) GRRRR. Y'know, I'm against capital punishment, but when it comes to the assholes who do this kind of stuff, I'm willing to make an exception.

eileen

[newyawker99]

9. radwriter0555

Pet DU copyright rules
please post only 4
paragraphs from the
news source.

Thank you.

NYer99
DU Moderator

[welshTerrier2]

11. Details from Symantec

you can read more about this virus here ==>

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/[e-mail]

the Microsoft patch, according to Symantec, can be obtained here ==>

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;330994