Tech Alert Briefing for 1/12/2002

New Internet Worm Gigger Masquerades as Microsoft Outlook Upgrade

Be on the lookout for a new Internet worm unleashed January 9, 2002.The worm is written in Javascript and is being ditributed via email with a subject heading "Outlook Express Update".The email contains an attachment called mmsn_offline.htm.If the attached file is opened the program attempts to delete all files on the infected computer and to rewrite the autoexec.bat file.If the system is then rebooted the virus will attempt to format the C: hard drive.

The worm spreads by sending emails to all Microsoft Outlook addresses.According to Symantec the potential damage is listed as High and the distribution of the virus is also listed as high.

Several antivirus software companies have updated their signature files to include this worm. All computer users are urged to be certain their signature files are up-to-date.

For more information on the virus and its removal access the Security Responsefrom Symantec.


Previous Tech Alerts:
01/08/02 Microsoft Universal Plug and Play Vulnerability
12/20/01 Holiday Themed Computer Virus Unleashed