MEDIA ALERT - `Killer Resume' Proves Once Again Reactive Solutions and Procedures Are Inadequate.Business/Technology Editors FAIRFAX, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 30, 2000 A new virus spread across corporate networks over the Memorial Day weekend, deleting critical files and quickly infecting other computer networks via the Microsoft Outlook For the e-mail and news client bundled with certain versions of Microsoft Windows, see . Microsoft Outlook or Outlook (full name Microsoft Office Outlook email program See e-mail program. . With a makeup similar to last year's widespread Melissa virus A Word macro virus that was unleashed in the spring of 1999. It sent an e-mail message with a list of pornographic Web sites to the first 50 names in the user's Microsoft Outlook address book. which crippled corporate networks worldwide, "Killer Resume," following closely on the heels of the ILOVEYOU virus unleashed earlier this month, has already resulted in the shutting down of several corporate email systems. The FBI is recommending users deactivate de·ac·ti·vate tr.v. de·ac·ti·vat·ed, de·ac·ti·vat·ing, de·ac·ti·vates 1. To render inactive or ineffective. 2. To inhibit, block, or disrupt the action of (an enzyme or other biological agent). 3. Microsoft Outlook's executive summary feature and then delete any email with the subject line "Resume - Janet Simons." Pete Privateer privateer Privately owned vessel commissioned by a state at war to attack enemy ships, usually merchant vessels. All nations engaged in privateering from the earliest times until the 19th century. , President of Pelican Security, issued the following statement: "The `Killer Resume' virus has once again made clear that turning off features in order to protect against malicious mobile code is not an effective solution in today's business Today's Business is a show on CNBC that aired in the early morning, 5 to 7AM ET timeslot, hosted by Liz Claman and Bob Sellers, and it was replaced by Wake Up Call on Feb 4, 2002. world. Last week we were told to turn off the Visual Basic Scripting feature of Windows, should we now stop attaching Word documents to emails? We simply cannot ban all Visual Basic Scripts, executables and now Microsoft Word A full-featured word processing program for Windows and the Macintosh from Microsoft. Included in the Microsoft application suite, it is a sophisticated program with rudimentary desktop publishing capabilities that has become the most widely used word processing application on the market. documents sent as email attachments or virus writers will dictate to us what Internet technology we can and cannot use. Additionally, traditional anti-viral products, no matter how often they are updated, are inadequate protection against new worms and viruses that spread this quickly over the Internet. Proactive products that are designed to control the behavior of all incoming Internet mobile code are needed to prevent unauthorized access to critical information resources (1) The data and information assets of an organization, department or unit. See data administration. (2) Another name for the Information Systems (IS) or Information Technology (IT) department. See IT. . Solutions such as Pelican's SafeTnet prevent viruses like the `Killer Resume' from deleting critical files and spreading immediately without relying on updates or new business practices. Users are permitted full functionality and businesses remain safe, regardless of the newest threat." `Killer Resume' is a Microsoft Word macro embedded in a document called "Explorer.doc" or "Resume.doc" which is attached to an email. When a user opens the file, the virus replicates itself and sends an infected email to all addresses in the user's address book. When the user closes the attachment, numerous files are deleted from the user's computer. A recent Aberdeen Group Aberdeen Group is a provider of business-related research services. It has its headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts and belongs to the Harte-Hanks group. Founded in 1988, Aberdeen's research is used by over 2. report has directly criticized current anti-viral solutions' effectiveness against malicious mobile code, because they are dependent upon an analysis of each virus or worm before a fix can be rendered. In stark contrast, Pelican's SafeTnet proactively monitors all mobile code, including scripts, executables, applets, viruses, even encrypted files, and applies policies that allow harmless code to run while malicious code is stopped in its tracks. Customers running the Pelican SafeTnet solution were protected from the malicious behavior of this virus without the need to download any updates. Reporters interested in speaking with Mr. Privateer can contact Kara Kara (kär`ə), river, c.140 mi (230 km) long, NE European and NW Siberian Russia. It flows N from the N Urals into the Kara Sea, forming part of the traditional border between European and Asian Russia. It is navigable in its lower course. Flyg (617) 926-6665 ext. 326 to arrange an interview. About Pelican Security Pelican Security(TM) Inc. is an Israeli venture-backed company headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia. The company offers software solutions that proactively protect eBusiness resources from Internet threats. These threats include mobile code that can deny service to users or customers or enable outsiders to gain unauthorized access to corporate information resources. For more information, please visit www.pelicansecurity.com. |
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