Friends have managed to get infected with a virus that came along with a fake microsoft email. I'm sure we've talked about it before but I can't find it - so could any of our wonderful guru's tell me what they should do?

I've googled but seemed to get bombarded with too much information for my non technical brain so words of two syllables or less would be much appreciated.

Ta.

In words of two syllables...DON'T OPEN IT If it has been opened, then update antivirus definitions.

The thread discussing it is here

Ah thanks SG, you're a champ.

It was opened and appartently there are something like 190 emails trying to be downloaded.

There was a warning printed in our local newspaper to not open any mail from Microsoft; the company does not communicate with customers via e-mail concerning updates or other enhancements.

Having received numerous copies at the office (unopened but previewed) one has to say that it is VERY authentic looking complete with logo in the body of the email. It has several clickable links. Such things send me into a panic because I know not to touch them but the two women who check emails in my absence don't know, I keep telling them and show them examples such as this one, hopefully it sinks in - and we keep the Nortons updated.

I've had no problem with it, myself. As part of a company, I would urge all staff never to open anything that you don't know about. If it's from Microsoft or Norton (look out for this one, because it will happen soon), then do not open it. Same goes for your ISP. Neither will send you e-mails.

Hi SG and All, the latest one to hit my machine (today) was titled
MS Net E-Mail Storage System (Subject was - Abort Mail!) virus attached was quarantined on receipt of the mail.

Seems that I'm this weeks target, that's 14 so far!.

I have just returned from vacation and stupidly opened the one allegedly from Microsoft. I have had grief trying to get rid of it and have hopefully succeeded. I have however had to wait for nearly a 1000 automated e-mails to down load into my inbox from company virus scanner programs telling me about undelivered e-mails to people I have never heard of.

I think it is only going to get worse, Sothc, I just spoke to the friend again and they have 6000 emails trying to download.

So is this all it does? Or does the virus play around with Windows as well?

It regenerates itself everytime you switch on and sends the mass e-mails out again so many of the 6000 replies your friend is getting are repeats. He/she needs to get rid of that file that has been written into windows or it just keeps going.

According to Microsoft information the fake e-mail causes trouble by:

* Network propagation
* Mass mailing
* Disabling antivirus and firewall software

It's best to read the whole Microsoft page and follow any links too (links at the bottom of the page lead to more information about the worm).

A few more useful links:
Link 1. (applies to W.98 too).
I know I've gone on about HTML in e-mails before. Just to show I'm not alone in this :
Link 2.
Link 3.

That would explain why my Nortons and Zone Alarm failed to open and do now after I got rid of it.

OK ...just to confuse the issue. I've just read on a computer forum that Microsoft are now offering e-mail notification about security issues. See here. You do have to register for the service and the e-mails are digitally signed (of course all computer users understand about this!) by Microsoft.

This means it cannot now be stated that Microsoft do not send out e-mails about security risks. I think that once word gets around that Microsoft does send e-mails, the fake Microsoft e-mails could get mixed up with any genuine ones.

Maybe they should think again about doing this.

If you are a registered owner of Microsoft software for Internet Explorer, the company automatically sends update notifications that appear on your screen while browsing the Internet.
If you buy a new computer and install the old software you should make sure that Microsoft knows that it's registered version is on a new machine.
That's what I've been told, anyway.

Just bringing this thread to the top because I hear there's another convincing fake Microsoft e-mail doing the rounds. Don't open any file attachments attached to the mail even if the body text seems quite plausible.

If there are any critical updates available from Microsoft they will be available via Windows Update. Go there instead of clicking on anything.