ITinfo: Gone, Gone, Goner

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Internet Worm Attack!

Why not just turn off all your protection?

ITinfo Sponsor

ERROR: Random File Unopenable

The random file, as specified in the $random_file perl variable was unopenable.

The file was not found on your file system. This means that it has either not been created or the path you have specified in $trrandom_file is incorrect.

Gone, Gone, Goner

by Dave Murphy
ISSN 1535-3613

A recently-detected worm is being inadvertently spread by Microsoft Outlook email users. The file attached by the worm will attempt to disable Internet scanning and firewall software such as the popular ZoneAlarm application.

The worm was written in Visual Basic Script (VBS) and is attacking hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide today. It started its attack yesterday, and in less than 24 hours has started to do more damage than previous high-profile worms, such as last year's Love Letter.

Antivirus software vendors are releasing patches that will detect and deter the Goner (a.k.a. Pentagoner) worm; however, most users could stop the worm dead in its tracks if they would just not open the infected file attachment.

Dave's Opinion

I still suggest users keep their wits about them when they receive an unexpected file attachment. Even if the attachment comes from someone you know, don't open it unless you're expecting it or first confirm that it was intentionally sent to you.

I judge that you may not like my next piece of advice, but take it from my experience: stop using Microsoft Outlook. Using Eudora, Pegasus or another fully-capable email client. They're each much more secure than Outlook, and the 3-way combination of installing each updated to your antivirus software, not executing file attachments, and using a secure email client will keep you out of trouble, and you won't risk contributing to one of the worst Internet worm attacks in history.

Call for Comments

What do you think? Leave your comments on the message center.

References

ZoneAlarm
Eudora
Pegasus
Message Center

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

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http://itrain.org/itinfo/2001/it011205.html
updated December 5, 2001