MyDoom Virus Announcement

28 January 2004

PLEASE READ THIS IF YOU ARE USING A MICROSOFT-BASED COMPUTER

There is a new variation of the MyDoom virus that is rapidly spreading itself across the internet. It is called MyDoom-B.

Now here is the scary part.

If your machine is already infected with MyDoom-A, your computer is currently busy scanning the internet looking to update itself with a copy of MyDoom-B.

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING THAT YOU NEED TO DO FOR THAT ACTION TO OCCUR.

The existing MyDoom-A virus has essentially taken control of your computer without any action necessary on your part to update itself.

One of the effects of MyDoom-B that has been discovered so far is that it blocks your ability to open a web browser and access the Microsoft virus update page as well as the virus update pages of about 60 anti-virus software makers. In other words, if you are infected with MyDoom-B, you will not be able to get rid of it via on-line methods.

MyDoom-B may also do other things, but they are not knows at this time.

Not only are MyDoom-A and MyDoom-B nasty viruses for what they are known to do, but this is the first time I have ever heard of an initial virus varient being able to update itself without any action on the part of the user.

If you are on a Microsoft-based PC, immediataly go to the Microsoft virus update page and download the fix. If you are using anti-virus software, immediately go to the software developer's web site and update your anti-virus software. If you become infected with MyDoom-B, you will not be able to do so in the future.

And again...

DO NOT OPEN ANY ATTACHMENT THAT IS A .EXE, .ZIP, .BAT, OR .PIF FILE.

EVER.

This warning does not apply to those who are using Macintosh systems; they are not affected by the MyDoom virus.

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