ITinfo: Melissa X: I'm Back!

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Melissa X

New virus variant ties Macs & PCs

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Melissa X: I'm Back!

by Dave Murphy
ISSN 1535-3613

Mac Office 2001 users will have their time in the spotlight today.

A variant of the Melissa virus is making the rounds and it's targeted at Mac Word 2001. The virus was emailed to a Word 97 user who proved that it can execute on PC's in it's native form. By this afternoon, I expect the virus will be more-widely reported on both platforms.

Dubbed Melissa X, the virus primarily affects Macintosh systems but will also affect Windows PC platforms if an infected Macintosh file is sent via email or put on a floppy disk and opened by a Windows PC user. The virus will then transmit itself to the first 50 addresses in the computer's Microsoft Outlook address book.

Melissa-X arrives as an email with the following information:
Subject: Important Message From [username]
Body: Here is that document you asked for ...don't show anyone else ;-).
Attached: ANNIV.DOC.

Here's a few suggestions I culled from ZDNet to help you prevent viruses that take advantage of Microsoft Office components.

Download Microsoft's Outlook Security Patch. If you haven't already installed it, download the Outlook 98 Security Patch or the Outlook 2000 Security Patch (which requires the Office 2000 Service Release 1a).
Don't open attachments without thinking! Even if the email is from a known source, be careful. A few viruses, such as Melissa X, use the mailing lists of an infected computer to send out new messages with their destructive payload attached. Always scan the attached files first for viruses. Unless it's a file or an image you're expecting, delete it. If you've erred, you can always ask your coworker to retransmit their intended file.
Stay informed. Did you know that there are virus and security alerts almost every day? Keep up-to-date on breaking viruses and solutions by subscribing to and reading this e-zine. Subscription instructions are posted on our website: http://itrain.org/ .
Get protected. Install McAfee VirusScan, and download the every-Wednesday afternoon SuperDat updates.
Scan your system for viruses regularly. If you're just loading anti-virus software for the first time, it's a good idea to let it scan your entire system. It's better to start with your PC clean and free of virus problems. Often the anti-virus program can be set to scan each time the computer is rebooted or on a periodic schedule. Some will scan in the background while you are connected to the Internet. Make it a regular habit to scan for viruses.

Call for Comments

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References

MS Outlook 98 Security Patch
Outlook 2000 Security Patch
Office 2000 SR-1a
McAfee
Message Center

Previous issues are on our website at http://itrain.org/itinfo/.

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http://itrain.org/itinfo/2001/it010119.html
updated January 19, 2001