Beware 'doom' virus in e-mails; UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK LECTURER WARNS ABOUT COMPUTER WORM.Byline: SIMON Simon, in the Bible. 1 One of the Maccabees. 2 or Simon Peter: see Peter, Saint. 3 See Simon, Saint. 4 Kinsman of Jesus. 5 Leper of Bethany in whose house a woman anointed Jesus' feet. DUDMAN ALMOST one in every 12 e-mails sent in the last week has contained a new computer virus which is rapidly spreading around the world, experts have said. The virus, given the name "Mydoom", was first detected earlier this week contained in an e-mail sent from Russia. Since then, internet security ''This article or section is being rewritten at Internet security is the process of protecting data and privacy of devices connected to internet from information robbery, hacking, malware infection and unwanted software. firm MessageLabs says it has picked up more than a million copies of the virus - or worm as it is known - and that number is set to rise. Analysts warn it could be even more significant than last year's "Sobig" virus which caused havoc to users with Microsoft's Windows software on their computer. Mike Joy, senior lecturer senior lecturer n. Chiefly British A university teacher, especially one ranking next below a reader. in computer science at Warwick University, said the virus gets onto computers and tries to spread via other e-mail addresses on the computer. He said: "A virus is a programme which has been put on your machine, probably accidentally, and which does something on the machine that you don't want it to. Viruses come in a number of forms and a lot of them are now distributed through e-mail. "This one gets onto your machine and takes copies of e-mails and then sends out the virus over e-mail to these addresses. "This particular virus is sending itself by e-mail as an attachment, so if you get an e-mail from someone unexpected with an attachment do not open it." It has also targeted the underground music-sharing community through the Kazaa software needed to transfer files. The ultimate target for the virus appears to be US-based software companies Microsoft and Sco. It is anticipated that the virus is programmed to send lots of e-mails to the two companies to crash its system between February 1 and 12. Mr Joy said detection is made even harder because the worm is disguised. "It will be hard to detect that you have this virus on your computer and although it has been known to attack certain files in anti-virus software, it would be wise to update any virus protection software that you have," said Mr Joy. pounds 140,000 reward to trace author MICROSOFT has promised to pay pounds 140,000 to anyone who helps authorities find and prosecute To follow through; to commence and continue an action or judicial proceeding to its ultimate conclusion. To proceed against a defendant by charging that person with a crime and bringing him or her to trial. the author of the fast-spreading computer virus. The cash reward is the third so far under a pounds 3 million programme Microsoft announced in early November to help US authorities catch authors of unusually damaging internet infections aimed at consumers of the company's software products. Microsoft urged anyone with information about the author of the virus to contact the FBI, Secret Service or Interpol. Tips on how to beat it Stay calm. A computer virus isn't dangerous until the infected in·fect tr.v. in·fect·ed, in·fect·ing, in·fects 1. To contaminate with a pathogenic microorganism or agent. 2. To communicate a pathogen or disease to. 3. To invade and produce infection in. email is opened. Delete any mail you think is infected and empty your deleted items folder. Don't open any attachment you are not sure about, even if you have a virus scanner See antivirus program. . Read the email. Check that the contents of the message makes sense before you open any attachments. Don't forward any attachment to a friend without being sure it is safe. Look out for hoaxes. There are many emails warning of "the most destructive virus ever", but often these viruses don't exist. |
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