Fw: Computer Virus - Symantec Anti-Virus Warning

May 17, 2001

- SmartReminders

Lynn Avery

Tuesday, May 15, 2001 3:05 PM

Computer Virus - Symantec Anti-Virus Warning

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Dear Lynn Avery,

A newly discovered worm called VBS.Hard.A@mm is disguising itself as a virus alert from the anti-virus firm Symantec. With a subject line reading, “"FW: Symantec Anti-Virus Warning" and an attachment bearing the name "www.symantec.com.vbs,chr(34) the relatively innocuous worm, like many other recent worms, is written in Microsoft's Visual Basic Script (VBS) and propagates through the company's Outlook Express e-mail client. The e-mail carrying the worm is sent by "F. Jones," who the e-mail identifies as a Symantec senior developer.If a user double-clicks on the attachment to launch the file, the default Web page that the PC's Web browser is set to visit upon launch is changed to a fake Symantec virus information page. The worm then sends itself to everyone in the infected PC's Outlook Express address book. The worm also makes some changes to the computer's registry files. Lastly, it creates a dialog box that will appear on Nov. 24 and reads, "Don't look surprised! It is only a warning about your stupidity Take care!"Though the worm is low-risk and does not cause serious damage, it is likely to spread quickly, Symantec said.To remove the worm, users should be sure to update their virus definitions, run up-to-date virus scans, and delete any files reported as being related to the worm. Changing the default Web page in the browser must be done manually. Instructions on how to delete the changes made to the computer's registry are available on Symantec's Web site, http://www.Symantec.com.