|
Virus Follies, August 2003 | |
|
|
||
Posted
21 August, 2003
August 2003 is probably the worst month we have ever seen for viruses. Now
we are over the Blaster worm, two new viruses
and a worm that claims to be a "good guy" have appeared. The new Sobig variation
is said to be the fastest ever spreading virus. The Sobig Virus The latest
version of the Sobig virus is being described as the fastest
spreading virus ever seen. Like most of the viruses we have seen in the last
three years it uses email attachments, fake addresses and an innocuous subject
line to spread. Knowing what
is in your inbox and keeping your operating system and virus checkers up
to date are important. A virus from Microsoft? The other new virus on the scene is the Damaru
Virus. This poses as a mail from a Microsoft Administrator, Microsoft do
not send files this way and you should be suspicious of any unsolicited attachment.
The same precautions as Sobig apply. Gunfight at the Virus Corral The Welchia worm claims to be the "white hat" solution to the Blaster Worm.
When it finds a vulnerable system, it downloads and installs the fix for you.
If you're prepared to having other people's software fighting on your computer,
then great! You can let this worm do the work for you. At least that's the theory. In reality, the Welchia worm contains a number
of programs that give allow the writers to access your computer. Unlike Blaster,
this is a well written program with some serious nasty consequences. To avoid it, make sure your Windows XP, 2000 and NT machines are
fully updated from http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.
Like Blaster, it does not affect Windows ME, 98 and 95 machines. The Sobig and
Damaru viruses affect all unprotected versions of Windows.
PC Rescue Pty Ltd
Suite 236, 4 Young Street Neutral Bay NSW 2089
ABN 082 635 765
ŠTechnology Publishing Australia, 2011