re: new computer virus

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Naked Wife Virus Strips Down Computers

Last month it was Anna Kournikova. Now the Naked Wife has come to the Internet –- packing a payload that is far more destructive than the Kournikova worm's.

• New E-Mail Worm Spreads Trouble, Adult Humor • Millions of E-Mail Accounts Vulnerable to Attack • Police Nab Anna Virus Writer

When run, the worm sends itself to all recipients in a user's Windows Address Book and also attempts to delete all .BMP, .COM, .DLL, .EXE, and .INI files in the WINDOWS and WINDOWS\SYSTEM directories, McAfee.com said.

The virus is also known as NAKEDWIFE, W32/Naked@MM and W32.HLLW.JibJab@mm, according to Computer Associates International, Inc.

JibJab Jihad

The virus arrives as an e-mail titled "Fw: Naked Wife" with a message body that reads: "My wife never look like that! ;-) Best Regards, (sender's name here)" and an attachment called "NakedWife.exe."

When a user opens the NakedWife.exe file, the virus copies itself to a TEMP directory and displays a Window called "Flash" that reads "JibJab Loading" while it attempts to send itself to other users and destroys system files.

Choosing the HELP|ABOUT menu in the "Flash" window displays a message box entitled, "Flash," which reads "You're are now F**KED! (C) 2001 by BGK (Bill Gates Killer)," according to McAfee.com.

Diagnosing the Disease

Users who cannot launch applications; cannot find .BMP, .COM, .DLL, .EXE, and .INI files in the WINDOWS and WINDOWS\SYSTEM directories; or receive e-mail that says they have sent others the NakedWife.exe attachment are likely infected by the virus, McAfee.com said.

Those hoping to avoid the Naked Wife -– tempting as she might sound –- can download virus updates from antivirus companies' Web sites.

Avoid 'Stranger' Attachments

Just as in the real world, staying away from unfamiliar attachments can reduce risk.

"This is yet another example of a mass mailing threat that can spread easily and rapidly, by fooling computer users into executing the malicious payload," said Ian Hameroff, business manager for antivirus solutions at Computer Associates. "Users should always exercise caution and utilize good judgment when receiving e-mails with attachments."

"There's no new technology being employed here, just effective social engineering, I'm sad to say," added David Perry, global education director for network antivirus and security company Trend Micro. "Users really need to learn to think twice before clicking on attachments."

Kournikova Redux

The Anna Kournikova worm, which struck in mid-February, initially posed as an e-mail attachment purporting to include a photograph of the 19-year-old Russian tennis star, currently ranked ninth in the world among women players. The virus did not actually contain a photo.

Instead, when a user opened the attachment, the virus spread through the computer's e-mail program, sending itself to all those listed in the computer's e-mail address book.

Like previous worm e-mails -- but unlike the malicious Naked Wife bug -- the so-called Anna virus did not harm infected systems. However, it caused traffic jams on e-mail servers and cost companies a bundle in time and energy to clean up the mess it left behind.

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