In view
of extremely rapid spread of two very destructive
viruses - we replace regular article with this
virus alert - specially what you should do to
safeguard your system
Threat from two recent viruses that
are going around is very real. They mostly affect
people who use Microsoft's Outlook Express.
Goner Virus
There is a outbreak of computers
infected with W32/Goner@MM, also known as Pentagone,
Goner or Gone. This is a NEW, HIGH RISK virus
that spreads via Microsoft Outlook email and ICQ
instant messaging programs. This mass-mailing
worm will arrive from someone you know with the
following email message:
>Subject: Hi
>
>Body: How are you ?
>When I saw this screen saver, I immediately thought
about you
>I am in a harry, I promise you will love it!
>
>Attachment: GONE.SCR
Goner is extremely destructive. When
the attachment is opened, it will look for a variety
of anti-virus, firewall and other security programs
and attempt to delete them, along with ALL FILES
in the same directory. This worm will also place
a trojan, REMOTE32.INI, on the system, which contains
instructions to attempt Denial-of-Service attacks
on other IRC users.
W32/Badtrans@MM
Over past two weeks, I have received
hundreds of blank emails of size 40.4 Kb. The
emails have a _ character before the sender's
email address. I am sure many of you have experienced
the same. It means the sender's computers is infected,
though he/she may be blissfully unaware. What's
worse, may be you are also sending the same virus-laced
mails to others if your computer is infected.
It is a new virus called W32/Badtrans@MM
Badtrans is a potentially destructive
new generation virus called blended threats. Blended
threats are amalgamations of worms, viruses and
trojans.
What
is a Trojan ?
A trojan, like the Horse of Troy
in Greek Mythology, surreptitiously enters your
computer and opens the gate for a hacker to get
into your computer and steal private information.
It also tracks your key-strokes (i.e. your password,
credit card number etc. as you type in keyboard)
and faithfully conveys to its master.
Safeguards
The best way to safeguard yourself
is to never open a file attachment unless you
are confident about its origin. However, there
are a few viruses that can spread through e-mails
WITHOUT attachment or through Chat or Instant
messenger.
You should have a good anti-virus
software with latest virus definition and preferably
a firewall. You should also install e-mail scanner
that comes with standard anti-virus software.
Following free and priced resources
will help you detect and remove virus from your
computer and keep you up-to-date on virus and
other security threats.
Priced
Anti Virus Software:
Norton Anti Virus
McAfee Anti Virus
Dr Solomon's Anti Virus Software
Free
Resources in the Net
HouseCall
online virus scanning
A free service that offers online virus scanning.
There's nothing to install; HouseCall scans for
and cleans viruses via the Web through ActiveX
and Java technology.
VCatch
This free program help you protect from receiving
virus infected E-mails. When an incoming E-mail
or file is suspected to be containing a virus,
VCatch automatically deletes it and notifies you.
ProPort
A freeware Net security tool that protects your
Net ports from hacker attacks and other illicit
activity. ProPort monitors local ports for trojan
and nuke attacks and can monitor an unlimited
number of ports.
AntiVir Personal Edition
This easy-to-use freeware antivirus utility detects
over 40,000 viruses and includes a resident monitor
and desktop program. Scans for DOS, Windows, macros
and Java viruses.
Free Online Virus Scanner
This site offers a free online service that lets
you scan your computer for viruses. They also
offer free detection and removal tools here that'll
rid your PC of the various viruses and worms that
are currently circulating around the Net.
Others
Virus Bulletin
The international publication on virus prevention,
recognition and removal.
Virus Hoaxes
Virus hoax messages are all too familiar to just
about all email users. One of the main reasons
for this is that they play on peoples ignorance
- users are understandably concerned about viruses,
and so consider it 'helpful' if, as suggested
by the majority of hoaxes, they forward the message
on to their entire address book.
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