Joke e-mail virus tricks users - GoFuckYourself.com

DVTimes · 10-29-2004, 09:46 AM

A virus that disguises itself as a joke is spreading rapidly across the net.
Anti-virus firms are issuing high-level warnings about the new version of the Bagle e-mail program that seems to be catching a lot of people out.

The Windows virus grabs e-mail addresses from Microsoft Outlook and uses its own mail sending software to spread itself to new victims.

When it infects a machine, the Bagle variant turns off security measures that usually protect PCs.

Spreading fast

The new variant is called Bagle.AT, Bagle.BB and Bagle.AU and the attachment bearing the virus code is labelled as either "joke" or "price".

The body of the virus usually contains nothing but a smiley or emoticon.

The virus can strike computers running Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP.

Users will be infected if they open the attachment that travels with the e-mail.

As well as plundering Microsoft Outlook for e-mail addresses to send itself to, Bagle.AT also tries to turn off the firewall and security centre services on Windows XP machines.

BBC News Online has received five warnings about the virus from security companies. Finnish company F-Secure gave the virus its second highest threat level.

"We've had several reports all over the world," said Mikko Hypponen, director of anti-virus research for F-Secure.

Security firm Network Box said that it stopped more than 30,000 copies an hour of the virus as the outbreak reached a peak.

Black Spider said it had stopped more than 1 million copies of Bagle.AT since the outbreak began at 0630 BST (0530 GMT).

Anti-virus firms urged users to be wary of unexpected e-mail messages bearing attachments and to update their software to ensure they are protected against the latest threats.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3965721.stm

Bigfella · 10-29-2004, 09:47 AM

thanks for the heads up

okny · 10-29-2004, 09:47 AM

I get that bullshit all the time and funny to see how many others that get caught.

loverboy · 10-29-2004, 10:01 AM

good thing i no longer use Outlook

Netscape Mail is doing good for me

mardigras · 10-29-2004, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by loverboy
good thing i no longer use Outlook

Netscape Mail is doing good for me

Would Netscape Mail protect you if you open an infected attatchment?

Dirty F · 10-29-2004, 10:21 AM

Im getting about a zillion a day of those.

10-29-2004, 09:46 AM	#1
DVTimes xxx Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: UK Posts: 31,547	Joke e-mail virus tricks users A virus that disguises itself as a joke is spreading rapidly across the net. Anti-virus firms are issuing high-level warnings about the new version of the Bagle e-mail program that seems to be catching a lot of people out. The Windows virus grabs e-mail addresses from Microsoft Outlook and uses its own mail sending software to spread itself to new victims. When it infects a machine, the Bagle variant turns off security measures that usually protect PCs. Spreading fast The new variant is called Bagle.AT, Bagle.BB and Bagle.AU and the attachment bearing the virus code is labelled as either "joke" or "price". The body of the virus usually contains nothing but a smiley or emoticon. The virus can strike computers running Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP. Users will be infected if they open the attachment that travels with the e-mail. As well as plundering Microsoft Outlook for e-mail addresses to send itself to, Bagle.AT also tries to turn off the firewall and security centre services on Windows XP machines. BBC News Online has received five warnings about the virus from security companies. Finnish company F-Secure gave the virus its second highest threat level. "We've had several reports all over the world," said Mikko Hypponen, director of anti-virus research for F-Secure. Security firm Network Box said that it stopped more than 30,000 copies an hour of the virus as the outbreak reached a peak. Black Spider said it had stopped more than 1 million copies of Bagle.AT since the outbreak began at 0630 BST (0530 GMT). Anti-virus firms urged users to be wary of unexpected e-mail messages bearing attachments and to update their software to ensure they are protected against the latest threats. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3965721.stm __________________ The Affiliate Program

10-29-2004, 09:47 AM	#2
Bigfella Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 120	thanks for the heads up __________________ Roger.

10-29-2004, 09:47 AM	#3
okny Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: The Vault Posts: 5,761	I get that bullshit all the time and funny to see how many others that get caught. __________________ Aim: okny Icq: 306232 Skype: OlegKrasBT

10-29-2004, 10:01 AM	#4
loverboy When it rains, it pours Industry Role: Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 20,609	good thing i no longer use Outlook Netscape Mail is doing good for me

10-29-2004, 10:21 AM	#6
Dirty F Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 59,204	Im getting about a zillion a day of those.