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08/12/2003 Archived Entry: "Serious virus alert from Marc Perkel"

Serious virus alert from Marc Perkel

This came in my email this morning. Unlike a lot of worms that can hit Windows, this one's a mess. Take all necessary precautions, because this one can really hurt you if you don't.

Normally I write letters to the editor - but in real life I'm a computer systems administrator and today I'm spreading the word about the dangers on this latest computer virus. This virus is not like anything I've seen before and I strongly recommend you take action. Here's the warning I posted on http://bartcop.com . You might also want to publish this information. I don't think that Microsoft is taking this threat seriously enough.

*Note from Marc Perkel - Actually - Bartcop wasn't hacked - he has that new msblast.exe worm. This is a serious virus unlike anything I've seen before. This virus has nothing to do with email and you can be infected by just being connected to the internet. This message applies to EVERYONE running ANY version of WINDOWS - DO THIS! If you are running windows you should do the following:*

1. *Start Task Manager. Click the process tab. Look for a program
called msblast.exe. If you see it - kill the process. *

2. *Go to *Microsoft's Windows Update*
and install all the critacal
updates. It is extremely important that you do this. If you do not
install these updates - you will get invected!!!! *

3. *If you can't connect to Microsoft - here's part of a self fix.
Select RUN and type in regedit. Walk through the tree looking for
this key: *

*HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run*

*Which will contain - "windows auto update"="msblast.exe" - DELETE
THIS KEY!*

4. *Don't wait till you're already infected to fix this. You need to
deal with this before it happens if you are not infected already.
Until you apply these patches - your computer is vulnerable to all
kinds of attacks. *

5. *Tell all your friends who are running Windows to do the same -
spread the word!*

*For more information - check out the *Norton Anti-virus site* .* *A public service announcement brought to you by your friends at
Bartcop.com.*

I can vouch - I live with a network admin, and poor K worked for a long time last night making sure our firewall was up to snuff. Protect yourselves.

Replies: 7 people speak up

so if i downloaded all the windows updates am i ok? i have nortons on too, is this good enough? or do i need to do anything else?

Posted by justin @ 08/12/2003 03:16 PM NY

Dude, thanks for the warning. I couldn't live without my home PC (clunker that it is).

Posted by Metropolitan99 @ 08/12/2003 04:41 PM NY

I checked out Norton and Microsoft. It's for real. Like an airborne virus. Might be I'm joining the ranks of the paranoid, but thanks for the tip Blah3.

Posted by eliza black @ 08/12/2003 07:02 PM NY

I think this worm is interesting. The creator could have really fucked things up or tried to make money. White hat I think.

Posted by eliza black @ 08/13/2003 12:11 AM NY

I'm running Windows 95. There are no patches or security updates for Win95. Does this thing even affect abandon-ware like win95?

Posted by Teeg @ 08/13/2003 01:24 AM NY

Teeg,

I've just visted the Symantec Web Site. Apparently the MSBlaster Worm only strikes Windows 2000 and XP. If you're running any earlier OS, you're safe.

Phew, I hate my Windows ME, but I'm relieved I'm immune from this atack.

Posted by Metropolitan99 @ 08/13/2003 01:26 PM NY

i personally only think people should create viruses that affect buisiness software. leave the rest of us alone. burn the people who deserve it

Posted by justin @ 08/13/2003 05:08 PM NY

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