I was reading this today in
The Sun newspaper, which got me thinking (I know, it doesnt happen often but here goes) that not everyone might
have seen this in there own Newspaper!
ONE IN 17 EMAILS CONTAINS VIRUS
The internet was facing meltdown last night as the worlds worst ever computer virus left millions of systems crippled. The
SOBIG.F virus is
causing havoc for businessess and personal users by boosting the flow of email by
60 Per Cent. One in 17 emails now contains the virus which is
believed to have originated in America on Monday.
It has already struck in at least 148 countries.
Machines are also being left vunerable to hackers who can access user's personal details such as credit card numbers and bank details. The virus
spreads when users open attachments sent in emails, usually with the headings such as
"Thank You",
"Re: Details" or
"Re:
Approved".
The attachments end with with letters "pif".
When the recipient opens the attachment by clicking on it, the virus searches the computer for other email addresses and bombards them with an
identical email. It is the third major virus to hit computers in the past week after the
MSBlaster worm and
Nachi virus which caused
computers using Microsoft Windows to crash.
But there could be
WORSE to come, experts have warmed.
Paul Wood, Chief information analyst at internet security firm MessagesLabs, said: " One in 17 e-mails sent around the world since Mondy have been
affected by
"SoBig.F." It's unprecedented in our history. We stopped over one million infections in the first day. It's a pretty
frightening statistic and the next incarnation could be even worse."
Virus-writing is fast becoming the new graffiti among teenage and twenty-somthings desperate to make their mark on a global scale. Known as
"Script-kiddies", the cyber nerds are named after the lines of the text that make-up the viruses. Recipients are duped into opening
attachments, often with the lure of jokes or sexy images.
Jack Clark, who detects infectious programs for anti-virus software company McAfee, Said: "This is incredibly serious. It is a global threat and
everyone is suffering from it". That doesnt mean to say everyone's machines is affected but it has spread fast. This lastest outbreak shows people
still havent learnt any lessons from virus alerts in the past. They are still complacent when it comes to double-clicking and opening attachments,
even if they are unsure who's sent them or what they contain. This was unlike previous virus emails which promised a look at Kylie's bum or other
picture's. It didnt have anything like that but millions were still curious enough to open it.
All of this can be avoided by keeping your anti-virus soft-ware up-to-date and following basic rules like not opening attachments you havent asked
for".
He recommends the following websites to run a simple program that will scan your machine and clean it if necessary.
www.vil.nai.com... and follow the on screen instructions.
www.securityresponse.symantec.com... and click on the "check for security risks" buttom.
I think William or somebody else has already mentioned the Microsoft patch to protect yourself from the
Blaster, but here it is again.
www.windows.com...
Well I suppose by the time I put this out, someone else has already done the same, so will apologise now if Im only repeating somebody else. I know
William did mention it in brief earlier on, so here goes!
Oh! here's the link for the story (thats if it works)
www.thesun.co.uk...
blackwidow
PS: Im only trying to do my bit guys
PPS: For some reason my links arent working now, so if you go to "thesun.co.uk" site and click on Home then News you should eventually come too the
article (sorry guys?????)
[Edited on 22-8-2003 by blackwidow666]
