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Newsletter Archives - Viruses August 11, 2002 Caution - Another Email Virus
There is a worm being spread under the disguise of an official e-mail from Microsoft. The e-mail looks like it comes from Microsoft Corporation Security Center, and has an attachment that is supposed to be a security update.
The message the worm sends reads: Microsoft Customer, this is the latest version of security update, the update which eliminates all known security vulnerabilities affecting Internet Explorer and MS Outlook/Express as well as six new vulnerabilities. The email then advises the customer to open the Q216309.exe attachment to fix the security risks.
This email is being forwarded like wildfire; remember that Microsoft does not send updates as e-mail attachments. If you receive this, it's best to immediately delete it. ********************
December 16, 2001 If you buy a new computer or have recently upgraded your Windows, make sure that your virus software is up to date. Also, make sure that you download all current upgrades and patches. Check your virus manufacturer's Web page for the latest virus definitions. And make sure to run a scan of your hard drive as often as possible, especially after being connected to the Internet or checking email.
Trojans and Macro Viruses
A Trojan, or Trojan Horse, is a destructive program that performs some undesired yet intended action while pretending to be a harmless application. Unlike Viruses or Worms, Trojan horses do not copy themselves but they can be just as destructive. One of the most dangerous types of Trojan horse is a program that claims to rid your computer of viruses.
The term comes from a story in Homer's Iliad, in which the Greeks give a giant wooden horse to their foes, the Trojans, presumably as a peace offering. But after the Trojans drag the horse inside their city walls, Greek soldiers sneak out of the horse's hollow belly and open the city gates, allowing their compatriots to pour in and capture Troy.
Macro Viruses
Word processing documents can serve as sources of transmission for viruses.
A macro virus is a type of computer virus that is encoded as a macro embedded in a document. Many applications, such as Microsoft Word and Excel, support powerful macro languages. These applications allow you to embed a macro in a document, and have the macro execute each time the document is opened.
A good macro (non virus macro) can be written, by the user, to enhance documents and worksheets, and to automate tasks that the user does repetitively.
Viruses can invade your computer anytime you bring a file in from outside of your computer. A disk given to you by a friend, creating files on another computer and then bringing the disk to your computer, or downloading a file from an email or website are some of the ways that you can get a virus on your computer.
It is important to stress that the email itself is NOT destructive. The destructive part is the file that is attached to the e-mail, which, if executed (downloaded and opened), can cause damage to files on the computer.A good virus protection software is an important thing to have. Update your existing software if you download files or bring files into your computer from elsewhere. Most virus protection software manufacturers will allow you to upgrade or purchase their software from the website. An advantage to purchasing software from a store is receiving the book, with instructions, along with the disk.
Important Reminder: Don’t download anything from anyone you don’t know! ******************** November 4, 2001 Worm
Technically, worms are not viruses. The original worm programs were designed to be helpful. Actually, the first destructive worm, Morris, was a good program that crashed, causing networks to crash along with it.
A worm is a self-replicating program that does not alter files. It enters your computer in some way (usually it's downloaded), sets itself up in memory, and begins to duplicate itself. Unlike viruses, worms do not need any kind of user intervention or action to begin their evil activity. Worms do not require a host program to operate; they use parts of an operating system that are automatic and usually invisible to the user. . Once on a computer, a worm immediately begins its destructive task, and at the same time, looks for connections by which it can replicate and transmit itself to other host computers. In a contest between viruses and worms, worms win as potentially the more destructive of the two. It is common for worms to be noticed only when their uncontrolled replication consumes system resources, slowing or halting other tasks.
How do you know if you have a worm and what can you do?
If your system is running slower and slower, maybe you have a worm. To find out, run a virus scan. Norton, McAfee, or InoculateIT should do the trick. Some of the more famous worms are programs such as the Morris worm, Anna Kournikova (named for the tennis player), Code Red I and II, and Annoying. Such worms wreak havoc among unsuspecting persons who inadvertently run the offending programs.
******************** June 28, 2001 Virus Avoidance Quick Tips
With all the email viruses that are spread on a daily basis, there's got to be some way to protect yourself. Here are a few ways to protect your computer from viruses.
Get anti-virus software. Anti-virus software on your computer, and frequent updates to your software, is the best measure you can take at preventing your computer from becoming infected.
Don't jeopardize your computer's stability by downloading unsolicited file attachments. Viruses are spread primarily by file attachment. They come in attached to innocent looking emails and invite you to click them. There's a powerful psychological force called curiosity that may cause you to do what you know you shouldn't.
Be aware of performance. Computer viruses manifest themselves in countless ways. Generally, unstable performance online is an indicator that your machine may have a virus. Get used to how your computer works. If you see anything weird or different happen, run, or update, your anti-virus software. ******************** Click here to return to Newsletter Articles Index |
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