SCI/TECH: Worm Disguises Itself As Holiday Greeting, page 1

posted on Dec, 17 2004 @ 02:11 AM

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The Zafi.D is a worm masquerading as a holiday greeting, rated as a three on a scale of 1 to 5 or a moderate risk so says anti virus firms. It is getting around as an email attachment that reads "Happy holidays" And now it comes in Italian, Spanish, English, Swedish, Russian and several other languages.
This is an older Zafi that appeared in April of this year but this worm has the holiday twist to it, only users duped into double clicking the attachment can become infected. The worm scans for email addresses and sends copies of itself out to every address and allows attackers to gain remote control, shut off firewalls, anti virus software and delete applications.

msnbc.msn.com
Worm Disguises Itself as "Holiday Greeting"
Zafi.D spreading in South America, Europe
By Bob Sullivan
Technology correspondent
MSNBC
Updated: 4:59 p.m. ET Dec. 16, 2004
A new computer worm that poses as an electronic holiday greeting card is causing some headaches for Internet users. The Zafi.D worm is "still spreading around the globe," software security company Panda Software said. Other anti virus firms said the worm posed a moderate risk. Symantec rated it a three on a scale of 1 to 5. McAfee describes the risk as "medium.” We’ve received just under 300 submissions from our clients," said Brian Dunphy, director of global delivery with Symantec's security response team. "We have seen some sustained activity, but not on the scale of Netski or other big viruses earlier this year."
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Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

Beware of those unknown e-mail greeting cards that have in the Subject line: Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! make sure you virus protection programs are up to date the Zafi.D is out and making the rounds through Europe and South America. It should not be too much of a problem in North America as by the time most people arrive for work the anti virus firms have had a chance to up-date and add protection to their software packages

[edit on 12-17-2004 by Zion Mainframe]

SIRR1

posted on Dec, 17 2004 @ 08:41 AM

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Story posted on ATS 12-15-2004

www.abovetopsecret.com...

GradyPhilpott

posted on Dec, 17 2004 @ 10:09 AM

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This is exactly why I manually download virus definitions everyday.

securityresponse.symantec.com...@mm.html

Check out these virus threats and their frequency:

securityresponse.symantec.com...

Sauron

posted on Dec, 17 2004 @ 10:42 AM

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Thanks Grady; I bookmarked it

I�m fairly lucky no one emails me LOL plus I use AGV virus software free, and Prevx also free it�s supposed to protect from worms Trojans and spyware.
In addition to Zone Alarm Firewall free as well and Spybot � Search & Destroy also free and I have never had a problem but AVG has caught the few viruses that have come my way so far

S1LV3R4D0

posted on Dec, 17 2004 @ 11:21 AM

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Norton AV sees it as W32.Erkez.D@mm and its spreading quickly. Ive cleaned about 15 pcs in the past 2 days at our shop. My town only has bout 45000 so i would hate to see what its like in a larger scale city. I send out mass messages on my chat progs to warn my friends as soon as i see a rash of the same bugger hit the shop. Be Wary Fellow Net Surfers.