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1999 SOFTWARE WARNINGS
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Below are some programs and viruses to be aware of:
(get the most accurate virus information from Network Associate's Virus Info Library or Microsoft Security)

Y2Kcount.exe


9/20/1999		 Playing on consumer fears about the Year 2000 technology problem, an e-mail message falsely appearing to come from Support@microsoft.com is being distributed to Microsoft customers through e-mail.

Microsoft advises those looking to make certain their computers are ready for the Y2K date rollover to use the legitimate tools available at Microsoft's Y2K Web site, or the Microsoft Year 2000 Resource CD; it does not send attachments through e-mail. Read more.

toadie.exe


8/24/1999		 HLLT.Toadie infects executable files (evident by a DOS window opening and closing when the file is run). Each time an infected file is run, its size increases which decreases system performance. The virus propagates itself through IRC chat clients and through Pegasus 3.x e-mail clients. Click here for more.

w32/Kriz.3862


8/16/1999		 This virus similar to the recent Chernobyl CIH virus in that it will infect files but show no noticeable efects unles an infected file is run on December 25; at which time it will attempt to erase the CMOS and BIOS (which will prevent the computer from booting up). Click here for more.

ExploreZip.Worm


6/10/1999		 This is a worm program similar to Melissa that travels by sending email messages to users. It drops the file explore.exe and modifies either the WIN.INI (Win9x) or modifies the registry (WinNT). This worm replies to messages received with an email message with the following body:

I received your email and I shall send you a reply ASAP. Till then, take a look at the attached zipped docs.

The Worm has a payload; immediately after execution it will search all mapped drives for the following file types, and when it finds them, it will erase their contents and the file will be zero bytes:
.c
.cpp
.h
.asm
.doc
.xls
.ppt

Read more from Network Associates

Ska/Happy99.exe

 Several of our users have reported getting this trojan horse program. Once this attachment is run, several files on the user's computer are renamed (but not deleted), causing various "Invalid Page Fault" errors. A solution can be found in Microsoft's Knowledge Base article #221486 or the Network Associates site.

Melissa

3/29/1999		 A macro virus affecting Word 97/2000 attached to an e-mail with "Subject: important message from <name>" Read more from http://www.cert.org/advisories/CA-99-04-Melissa-Macro-Virus.html and http://email.miningco.com/library/nus/blmelissa.htm

If you have know of other programs that should be added to this list please contact the System Administrator.
1997 Warnings  1998 Warnings  2000 Warnings  Current Warnings
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