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The very popularity and default insecurity of Windows makes it a hugely attractive target to hackers, which is why about 98% of all virusess target Windows users and Windows servers. Unless otherwise noted, these viruses target Windows, so other operating systems (Linux, OS/2, BeOS, Mac OS, etc.) should be immune.

Recent Viruses

• Internet worm that tracks typing still spreading, Yahoo/Reuters, 11:27. "Badtrans" has already surpassed SirCam for new infections in November, spreads via Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express, infects when message is read or previewed - no need to run an attachment.
• SirCam ready to drop payload, Wired News, 10:12. "...every year on Oct. 16 the worm will delete all the files and folders contained on the hard drives of randomly selected SirCam-infected computers."
• Attacks computer virus identified, Fox News, 9:25. New virus spreads by email, deletes files on Windows computers.
• Virus exploits fears over war on terror, John Leyden, The Register, 9:25. Email virus can infect Windows PCs, attack antivirus software.
• Nimda Worm Special Report
• Code Blue worm reported, 2001:09:07. Infects Windows NT/2000 running IIS, works differently from Code Red. For more details see Yahoo/Reuters, Symantec, Wired News, McAfee.
• Remote Shell Trojan infects Linux, Security Alert, 9:05 [Slashdot]. Trojan creates a backdoor on Linux servers (and there are a lot of Linux servers).
• Hackers may profit from spam, ZDNet, 2001:07:03. "Spamming trojan" sounds like another Windows/Outlook-only problem, but with a new twist.
• Homepage worm, discovered 2001:05:09
• A guide to nasty worms and viruses, Montreal Gazette, 9/15/00. Exactly what is a Trojan horse, a virus, a worm?
• Love Bug II, May 18, 2000
• LoveLetter/Love Bug, May 4, 2000
• Melissa, March 1999

Other Virus Articles

• Virus infection rate soars, The Register, 1/2/2001 [Win98 Central]. MessageLabs claims 1 email of 700 is infected.
• Kriz virus makes return appearance, ZDNet/Yahoo, 12/20/2000. Virus piggybacks on other viruses, strikes on Dec. 25, wipes hard drive and BIOS on PCs, currently ranked #8 infector by Trend Micro.
• More than 54,000 virus threats exist today, ZDNet Asia, 12/18/2000 [Win98 Central].
• Virus writers send Christmas gifts, Yahoo/Reuters, 12/4/2000. "...the first two Christmas viruses already spreading fast."
• "Creative" virus spreading quickly, c|net, 12/1/2000. "The virus, dubbed 'Creative,' carries no destructive payload, but automatically emails itself to a victim's entire email address book." Windows and Outlook Express.
• MTX virus won't let you get help, ZDNet, 11/29/2000 [Win98 Central]. "The bug has one very sinister feature: once it infects a user, it's programmed to stop the victim from visiting antivirus Web sites...."
• BleBla infects users upon arrival, ZDNet, 11/17/2000 [Win98 Central]. Code executes upon previewing or reading infected HTML email, can connect to Internet to download payload. Only infects Microsoft Outlook on Windows.
• Is tech-savvy virus dangerous or not?, ZDNet, 11/15/2000 [Win98 Central]. "Called Hybris, the Internet worm is 'perhaps the most complex and refined malicious code in the history of virus writing.'"
• Viruses: The next generation, Kim Zetter, PC World [Win98 Central]. "In 1993, there were 3200 known viruses in the world. Today, there are more than 40,000...."
• Sonic.Worm approaching, ZDNet, 11/1/2000 [Win98 Central]. "Sonic.Worm is an email virus that keeps itself up-to-date by downloading enhancements from a web site."
• Cuddly PC virus turns children into Web victims, Yahoo/Reuters, 8/24/2000. "Kids, not corporations, are this time the target of the cyber-vandals."
• Pokey computer virus hits U.S., slow to spread, Yahoo/Reuters, 8/23/2000. "I choose you, Pikachu!" Virus similar to Love Bug. Windows users should be careful.
• Life Stages worm, Trend Micro. First discovered on Friday, June 16, 2000, the fast spreading Windows Outlook virus follows patterns set by the Love Bug.
• Phillips Files: A virus alert (not) and a gamers alert, R. P. Phillips, MacMilitia. "...the news media has, again, overlooked the obvious solution to these virus attacks."
• Core Breach! ILOVEYOU Microsoft, Scott McCarfty, GraphicPower, 5/5/2000. "All in the name of integration, Microsoft has created an array of tools that play into the hands of the twisted minds of malicious pranksters who wish to make their mark in the world by seeing how much havoc they can wreck on business."

Homepage worm

• Homepage worm rated X, Will Knight, ZDNet News, 2001:05:09.
• Homepage worm spreads pornography, Robert Vamosi, ZDNet, 2001:05:09.
• Porn virus spreads downunder, Rachel Lebihan, ZDNet Australia, 2001:05:09.

Love Bug II

• New, nastier Love Bug virus threatens computers, Yahoo/Reuters, 5/19/2000. "Herbie: Love Bug II" causes more severe damage than earlier Love Bug virus. (Thank goodness it's also a Visual Basic Script, leaving non-Windows systems essentially immune.)
• New virus more destructive than "Love," c|net, 5/18/2000. "...the virus alters itself to sneak around traditional virus scanners."

Love Bug Special Report

Low End PC (LEPC) launched September 2001. The entire LEPC site copyright ©2001-2003 by Cobweb Publishing, Inc., unless otherwise noted. Copyright of individual articles resides with the author. All rights reserved.
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