A new mass-mailing e-mail worm is spreading on the Internet, masking itself as a message from Microsoft's support organization.
The new worm is known both as W32/Palyh and W32.HLLW.Mankx@mm and arrives as an executable attachment to e-mail messages with a variety of subjects and messages. All messages containing the new virus purport to come from the same address: support@microsoft.com, according to alerts posted by a number of leading anti-virus software vendors.
Subject lines for messages delivering the virus include messages such as "Re: My application," "Your password," and "Approved (Ref: 38446-263)." Attachment files containing the new virus have a .PIF file extension and use names such as "password.pif," "doc_details.pif" and "ref-394755.pif," according to F-Secure of Helsinki, Finland.
The virus can only be released when a user clicks on the attachment file, F-Secure said.
Once released, however, the virus code modifies the Windows registry so that the worm program is launched whenever Windows is run. It also searches an infected computer for files containing e-mail addresses that it can mail itself to.
The Microsoft Windows address book as well as a variety of other files are searched for e-mail addresses, according to an alert by McAfee Security, part of Network Associates.
A file, "hnks.ini" is created to hold all the e-mail messages that the worm locates and those addresses are targeted with e-mail messages from the infected machine that contain the worm, according to F-Secure.
The virus also looks for computers that are accessible through shared directories on a network and copies itself to those machines, F-Secure said.
Although the new worm preys upon machines running the Windows operating system, users do not need to have Microsoft's popular Outlook or Outlook Express e-mail programs installed for the worm to spread itself. Code in the new virus enables it to send out its own e-mail messages, according to an alert from Sophos.
Leading anti-virus vendors advised their customers to update their anti-virus software to detect the new worm. Vendors also posted directions for stopping the virus and removing it from infected machines.
In addition, infected users might consider contacting the addresses listed in the virus' hnks.ini file, warning them about the infection, F-Secure said.
Microsoft is a frequent target of virus writers, who often disguise viruses and other attacks as messages or bulletins from Microsoft's technical support organization.
The Redmond, Wash., company's official policy is that it does not distribute any software using e-mail, preferring to use CDs or its Web site to dispense new software and software updates.
While the company does e-mail customers, it does not send attachments and authenticates all messages with a digital signature. (See: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/policy/swdist.asp.)
This whitepaper explains the terminology and concepts behind Data Replication technologies and establishes some sizing rules through worked examples. Learn the new paradigm in disaster tolerance—protect data anywhere.
Download now »
Server virtualization is a popular option for dealing with mounting datacenter costs. Another equally promising approach is the use of an Application Delivery Controller. Citrix NetScaler provides a low-cost way for organizations to reduce their server count and accrue cost savings from a reduction in space, cooling, power and personnel.
Download now »
The emergence of WLANs has created a new breed of security threats to enterprise networks.
Included in HP ProCurve WLAN solutions is security technology that alleviates threats from WLANs through:
* Monitoring wireless activity inside and out of the enterprise
* Classifying WLAN transmissions into harmful and harmless
* Preventing transmissions that pose a security threat to the enterprise network
* Locating participating devices for physical remediation
Effectively address data protection challenges, implementing solutions that help store and protect business–critical data while cutting costs and improving efficiency and reliability.
Download now »
Sign up to receive Security Resource Alerts
This white paper provides guidance on how to develop a strategic approach to managing and monitoring logs, a key function required for compliance with many regulatory mandates and a critical defense against security threats.
Download now! »
Learn about the processes and technologies that support security information management (SIM) operations, as well as the business case for SIM. The series examines different options for implementing SIM and gives you evaluation criteria for selecting the best option for your organization.
Download now! »
Learn the strategies, actions, and capabilities that Best-in-Class organizations employ and technologies they choose to obtain superior performance against various security performance metrics. This report provides guidelines for identifying which security solutions to consume as a MSS and defines best practices for choosing and managing MSSPs.
Download now! »
Recommend This
