Desert Orchid
Senior Jockey
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2005
- Messages
- 25,043
I got this message at work today. They seem to be taking it very seriously.
Does anyone know if it's real or a hoax?
Does anyone know if it's real or a hoax?
Virus Alert
- Thread starter Desert Orchid
- Start date
Harbinger
At the Start
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2004
- Messages
- 11,282
Merlin the Magician
At the Start
Virus: Kama Sutra (aka Nyxem.E, Grew.A, Blackmal.E, MyWife.D)
Status: Real.
Example: [Collected via e-mail, 2006]
Blackmal.E, a new Windows worm (which is like a virus), was discovered on January 20. It spreads as an e-mail attachment and will activate on February 3 and on the third day of every month thereafter.
Once activated, Blackmal.E will erase all Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Acrobat (PDF) documents, in addition to other file types. It is possible you are infected and do not know it yet, especially if the antivirus software on your computer has not been updated recently.
Keep in mind the worm will activate on Friday, February 3, and on the third day of every month thereafter. It is important, therefore, ALL computer users update their virus protection quickly and often — especially on home computers.
Origins: The
Kama Sutra worm (so named because the messages it sends to replicate itself contain phrases such as "Fuckin Kama Sutra pics," sent under subject lines such as "Crazy illegal Sex!" and "Sex Video") is a fast-spreading e-mail worm designed to destroy Microsoft Office documents (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint) as well as Adobe Acrobat and Photoshop files on all hard drives connected to infected PCs.
When a recipient opens a message generated by the worm (also known as Nyxem.E, Grew.A, MyWife.D, or Blackmal.E), a program is launched that disables anti-virus protection on the target PC. The infected PC then begins to replicate the worm by sending copies of similarly infected messages to e-mail addresses found on the victim's hard drive.
The Kama Sutra worm does not seem intended to plant back doors on infected PCs or to steal passwords or other personal information, but simply to destroy documents. It implants a program that erases common work files from all data-storage devices connected to infected PCs on the third day of every month, with the first wave of destruction to be launched on 3 February 2006.
As usual, the defense is to make sure your PC has anti-virus software installed with up-to-date definitions, or — if your PC has already been infected — to reinstall and run an anti-virus program updated to protect against the worm.
Status: Real.
Example: [Collected via e-mail, 2006]
Blackmal.E, a new Windows worm (which is like a virus), was discovered on January 20. It spreads as an e-mail attachment and will activate on February 3 and on the third day of every month thereafter.
Once activated, Blackmal.E will erase all Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Acrobat (PDF) documents, in addition to other file types. It is possible you are infected and do not know it yet, especially if the antivirus software on your computer has not been updated recently.
Keep in mind the worm will activate on Friday, February 3, and on the third day of every month thereafter. It is important, therefore, ALL computer users update their virus protection quickly and often — especially on home computers.
Origins: The
Kama Sutra worm (so named because the messages it sends to replicate itself contain phrases such as "Fuckin Kama Sutra pics," sent under subject lines such as "Crazy illegal Sex!" and "Sex Video") is a fast-spreading e-mail worm designed to destroy Microsoft Office documents (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint) as well as Adobe Acrobat and Photoshop files on all hard drives connected to infected PCs.
When a recipient opens a message generated by the worm (also known as Nyxem.E, Grew.A, MyWife.D, or Blackmal.E), a program is launched that disables anti-virus protection on the target PC. The infected PC then begins to replicate the worm by sending copies of similarly infected messages to e-mail addresses found on the victim's hard drive.
The Kama Sutra worm does not seem intended to plant back doors on infected PCs or to steal passwords or other personal information, but simply to destroy documents. It implants a program that erases common work files from all data-storage devices connected to infected PCs on the third day of every month, with the first wave of destruction to be launched on 3 February 2006.
As usual, the defense is to make sure your PC has anti-virus software installed with up-to-date definitions, or — if your PC has already been infected — to reinstall and run an anti-virus program updated to protect against the worm.
simmo
Senior Jockey
Good oh, that'll give me a fine excuse not to do any work tomorrow then. 
Shadow Leader
At the Start
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2003
- Messages
- 9,884
I heard about this elsewhere in the last couple of days - not the best!
Additionally, there may be a virus doing the rounds via MSN Messeger. Last year our office was infected by a virus after someone clicked on a link that was sent to them by one of their Messenger contacts. This activated a virus that sent the same link to everyone on his Messenger list. A couple of days ago a similar thing happened when a friend sent me a message saying something like "Did you know that you can find out who has blocked you? Click on this link to see who has blocked you". Luckily he noticed it & typed straightaway that he didn't type or send it.
Additionally, there may be a virus doing the rounds via MSN Messeger. Last year our office was infected by a virus after someone clicked on a link that was sent to them by one of their Messenger contacts. This activated a virus that sent the same link to everyone on his Messenger list. A couple of days ago a similar thing happened when a friend sent me a message saying something like "Did you know that you can find out who has blocked you? Click on this link to see who has blocked you". Luckily he noticed it & typed straightaway that he didn't type or send it.