NEW COMPUTER VIRUS..HIGH ALERT

[bigfish1965]

Hi guys and gals;
Just spent the better part of the day banging my head off my keyboard while trying to get rid of this new virus. The generic model is W32.Klez.gen@mm with several modified versions. The one I got came on what I thought was a blank email from our local city hall. I did not even open an attachment. Just 'POOF' virus. I had not updated my anti-virus in awhile. This virus attached itself to my Norton and would not allow an auto-update. Then while I tried to use Symantecs on-line screener, the virus would kick me off line. I wish we could hire the guys who made this virus to design software to find 10 pound walleyes on a fish finder. Anyway...DO NOT OPEN EMAIL FROM ANYONE UNTIL YOU UPDATE YOUR ANTI-VIRUS.
The infected emails have subject lines like 'your password', or 'cell spacing' or ' try this new game'. They are all around 120k.
I finally got rid of them by repeatedly doing a scan a symantec, after I got the list of my infected files, I saved them to a floppy then deleted them from the hard drive. ( All were infected .exe files)Then i was able to run an update on my antivirus to include this new one. After that I reinstalled the infected files and the software cleaned them up. Yuck.

[rogerm52]

Great advice on the Anti-Virus software. I am a corporate IT manager and I have done battle with some of the nastiest viruses out there. I feel your pain. I have had to implement an auto-install policy for virus updates on our server because so many users didn't take the time to click the "YES" button when the software would ask them if they wanted the latest update. These are the same users that would complain to the heavens when their computer would no longer work because of a virus.

One suggestion I have for all. Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express (I believe other offer it as well) have what is called a preview pane. This allows you to see the email in the lower portion of the application without having to open the email. I highly recommend that you disable this feature by going to the "view" pull down menu and unchecking "preview pane".

With the ability to now receive emails with html (web based) text, many viruses propogate because the preview pane is on. Even though you don't open the email, the preview pane executes the html code and can retrieve the virus from a remote server. It is best to leave the preview pane off and then only open emails from people you trust. Even then, you should always (daily) make sure you virus file are up to date.

Hope this helps.

Roger

[reddog]

Roger, I went to Outlook express view tab and couldnt find the preview settings. any other place to look?

[AquaMan]

Try under "Tools" then "Options" and click on the "Read" tab. Then De-select the "Automatically download message when viewing in the Preview Pane."

This will stop Outlook from downloading those buggers.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just add water

[rogerm52]

Sorry about that. I thought the settings were the same in both software applications. I just checked Outlook Express and found that it is different. I have Outlook Express 6 on my computer, so I am not sure if this is the same in previous version.

In Outlook Express, click on the "view" pull down menu and choose the "layout..." option. In this window, there is a check box that you can uncheck to turn off the preview pane.

Hope this helps and feel free to let me know if you have any other questions.

Roger

[reddog]

That worked, Thanks. I always wondered if that box was the same as opening, deep down, I knew it was. Again, thanks

[micro]

http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/ has the software available for download that will remove this virus

[AquaMan]

You can leave the preview pane open without downloading viruses. You have to de-activate the auto load funtion, however.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just add water

[Dave in Mpls]

Where is the auto load function located in Outlook? The Preview Pane I found under "view", but can't locate auto load. Is this the same as "AutoPreview"?

Thanks, Eric

[Denied]

In Outlook (not express) make sure you are in the outbox, then click on "View" the select or de select "Preview Pane" if preview is on you will see two sections under inbox, if off only one.

[AquaMan]

Try under "Tools" then "Options" and click on the "Read" tab. Then De-select (No "x") the "Automatically download message when viewing in the Preview Pane."

I have Outlook Express 6.0 and the method outlined above is the way I shut mine off. What version do you have?

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just add water

[Dave in Mpls]

I'm running Microsoft Outlook 2000. I wasn't able to find "Read" under "Options" in the Tool menu.

Thanks

[AquaMan]

Hmmm, call me and we'll finger it out....

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just add water

[phidelt157]

FYI - I've had this type of thing happen to me before as well. Fortunately, I've since received my degree in computer technology and have learned NOT to ever accept an exe. file from anyone you don't 100% trust. With very little effort, they can execute (what exe. stands for) any and all files in your hard drive.

[bigfish1965]

This virus is not attached to an .exe file. It is attached to both a .jpg, and a .scr . Thats why its so nasty.I had no idea this was even possible. ( Actually the virus that got my computer was a silent audio attachment.. a .mid I think.)