E-Mail Virus Turns PCs into Spam Machines ("our private photos ???" Alert)

Yahoo News ^ | 10/31/03 | Reuters - London

[NormsRevenge]

LONDON (Reuters) - A new e-mail virus capable of turning infected personal computers into "spamming" machines emerged on Friday targeting corporate and home users in Europe and the United States, a computer security expert said.

Anti-virus software makers Trend Micro reported that tens of thousands of its corporate computer users in France and Germany were hit on Friday afternoon by the virus, dubbed "Mimail.C."

By 11:30 a.m. ET on Friday, there were reports of infections in the United States too, said Raimund Genes, European president of Trend Micro.

The firm had a "medium risk" rating on the bug. "We may be upgrading it to high risk if it spreads in the U.S.," he added.

The virus carries the subject message line "our private photos ???." Opening the e-mail triggers the virus into action.

The virus installs an SMTP, or simple mail transfer protocol, program on an infected PC that turns the computer into a type of e-mail computer server capable of sending out torrents of virus-infected messages, Genes said.

The e-mail has spread quickly because it spoofs e-mail addresses, making it appear as if the e-mail comes from a friend or co-worker. "It's an old spammers trick," said Genes.

The virus is not believed to be particularly damaging to the infected computer, but it has the potential to unleash a flood of virus e-mails that could bog down corporate networks, Genes said.

[steplock]

UPDATE ANTI VIRUS , FIREWALL, etc etc.

1.  Security Test 3.  Download AVG AntiVirus 5.  SpyBot Search& Destroy

Support Troops!

2.  Download Zone Alarm 4.  Download Ad-Aware 6.

[rintense]

Spreading like wildfire right now. We got hit at work. It basically takes your domain name addy and resends the virus to everyone in the address book. We got hit in Lotus Notes.

[steplock]

Sorry I uploaded a partial list earlier!

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!!!

.      .ComputerSecurity
1.  Security Test 3.  Download AVG AntiVirus 5.  SpyBot Search& Destroy	Support Troops!	2.  Download Zone Alarm 4.  Download Ad-Aware 6. MS Windows Update

[NormsRevenge]

NO problemo. Thanks!

[FourPeas]

Yup, just hit a Level 3. Symantec's information is here.

[bmwcyle]

bttt

[Richard Kimball]

I haven't had any problems.

[b4its2late]

BTTT

[pabianice]

The virus carries the subject message line "our private photos ???." Opening the e-mail triggers the virus into action.

Anyone stupid enough to open unknown email titled "our private photos" is already off the net. They were all killed feeding hyenas by holding steaks in their lips...

[FourtySeven]

home use bump thanks

[FourPeas]

The email has the following characteristics:

From: james@<current domain> (The from address may be spoofed to appear that it is coming from the current domain)

Subject: Re[2]: our private photos [random sequence of letters]

Message:
Hello Dear!,

Finally i've found possibility to right u, my lovely girl :)
All our photos which i've made at the beach (even when u're without ur bh:))
photos are great! This evening i'll come and we'll make the best SEX :)
Right now enjoy the photos.

Kiss, James.
[random sequence of letters]

Attachment: photos.zip

Considering the list of random characters on the subject line and the poor grammar, I can't imagine anyone actually opening the attachment. OK, maybe I can, but I find it hard to believe there are THAT many truly moronic people out there.

[afraidfortherepublic]

bump

[Dog Gone]

I find it fascinating that someone with enough ingenuity to create a virus could spend so little time making the message credible.

[Hegemony Cricket]

bump for home

[firewalk]

bttt

[xm177e2]

I figured a new virus was out, because lately I've been getting attachment-containing spam in one of my email addys.

[Sloth]

Opening the e-mail triggers the virus into action.

Sounds like a lie to me.

[goodnesswins]

THIS is the stupid EMAIL (with attachments) I KEEP getting lately.....

From: Receive Citizenship

To: Subject: Some paths only come once

Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2003 16:04:11 -0500

X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 5.1

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[Prime Choice]

I haven't had any problems.

Me either.