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   Researchers Warn of File-Destroying Worm

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Topic: Researchers Warn of File-Destroying Worm (Read 402 times)

lakelady
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Researchers Warn of File-Destroying Worm
« on: Feb 2^nd, 2006, 10:36am »

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Oh how I love my Panda software.

Researchers Warn of File-Destroying Worm

By ANICK JESDANUN

NEW YORK (AP) - If you have computer files you'd rather not lose, now is a good time to make sure your anti-virus software is up to date. A worm set to activate Friday will corrupt documents using the most common file types, including ``.doc,'' ``.pdf,'' and ``.zip.''

Hundreds of thousands of machines are believed to be infected, mostly in India, Peru, Turkey and Italy, said Mikko Hypponen, chief research officer for Finnish security company F-Secure Corp.

The worm, known as ``CME-24,'' ``BlackWorm,'' ``Mywife.E'' or a number of other monikers, even tries to disable anti-virus software that is out of date, he said.

Thus, users should make sure their software is turned on and has the latest definitions, generally available for free from the software vendor's Web site. F-Secure also has created a free removal tool.

``If you are infected, and you find out about it today, you still have time to get rid of the virus,'' Hypponen said.

As worms go, the spread of BlackWorm is relatively low. But worms these days are generally designed to help spammers and hackers carry out attacks, not to destroy files as this one does. So the impact this time may be more severe.

Microsoft Corp. issued an advisory Tuesday warning customers about the worm, which affects most versions of its Windows operating system.

Users should be safe if they have the latest anti-virus software or if their computers are set with limited privileges, a common setting in larger organizations. They are vulnerable if they, like many small business and home users, leave their computers set with full administrative rights.

And users should check the date on the computer. The worm hits the third of every month, so if the computer's local calendar settings are off, Hypponen said, files may be destroyed sooner or later, even if the computer is never turned on Friday.

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yesteach
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Re: Researchers Warn of File-Destroying Worm
« Reply #1 on: Feb 2^nd, 2006, 1:15pm »

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IF you don't have anti-virus software and can't afford to buy one at the moment, you can download a decent one for free at...
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/289/lng/us/tpl/tpl01

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There are only 10 types of people in the world... those who understand binary, and those who don't.

Deekeryu
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Re: Researchers Warn of File-Destroying Worm
« Reply #2 on: Feb 2^nd, 2006, 10:56pm »

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I'd get Google Pack. Has a whole bunch of free software, including a free 6 month subscription of Norton Anti-virus.

It's funny because I was just checking out the Google website and came across Google Pack, then it comes out on one of the headline news about it today.

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yesteach
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Re: Researchers Warn of File-Destroying Worm
« Reply #3 on: Feb 2^nd, 2006, 11:01pm »

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I just updated mine again, JUST to make sure it was done before midnight... Cheesy

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There are only 10 types of people in the world... those who understand binary, and those who don't.

Joab
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Re: Researchers Warn of File-Destroying Worm
« Reply #4 on: Feb 5^th, 2006, 5:35am »

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Our local news reported about this too. You just have to be careful when opening mails now... Roll Eyes

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Joab
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Re: Researchers Warn of File-Destroying Worm
« Reply #5 on: Feb 5^th, 2006, 5:43am »

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My Norton Anti Virus is out of date and thanks for the link to the free anti virus software, hopefully it helps! Grin

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yesteach
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Re: Researchers Warn of File-Destroying Worm
« Reply #6 on: Feb 5^th, 2006, 10:07am »

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I only use AVG, I started using it years ago when my McAfee expired on my very first computer... a friend who works in IT told me about it.. he uses it also. I think it's an excellent program. There is a "for sale" version that has some bells and whistles and firewalls and such.. but for basic protection, you can't beat the free version.

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luci
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Re: Researchers Warn of File-Destroying Worm
« Reply #7 on: Feb 5^th, 2006, 7:10pm »

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Thankfully I have update Norton 2006 on both my big 'puter and laptop.
Just to be safe Friday I made sure they both were updated!
Oh why do folks do this..................................... Lips Sealed

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can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

Joab
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Re: Researchers Warn of File-Destroying Worm
« Reply #8 on: Feb 6^th, 2006, 5:36am »

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I don't know, but i seriously hope those people who created all these virus will be caught someday and thrown into jail. They are just making trouble for many innocent people... "society scums" Roll Eyes

« Last Edit: Feb 6^th, 2006, 5:36am by Joab »

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yesteach
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Re: Researchers Warn of File-Destroying Worm
« Reply #9 on: Feb 6^th, 2006, 10:11pm »

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Years ago when the first viruses started appearing, I was talking to my brother about that very thing.. WHO would do such a thing, who could possibly benefit from doing something so destructive.. he just looked at me and said.. "people who make anti-virus software?" LOL.. makes one wonder, doesn't it?? Cheesy

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