Update your Microsoft Windows and Virus Protection Software

[Eglyntine]

Hey guys... I recommend everyone that is running Microsoft Windows to go out to the www.microsoft.com under Windows Update and download all of the latest security patches for your computer.

Also update your virus protection software as well. I'm running Norton so it's pretty easy to run live update but for those that are not, find out how to load the latest patch for your software and get it installed.

There is a new virus out that is a real nasty one. It attacks through your network/internet connection and embeds itself into Microsoft registry files that makes it virtually impossible to remove without Format/Reinstall.

Background: Microsoft has identified two critical security vulnerabilities that could allow an unauthorized user to execute code on a user’s system:

817606 (MS03-024): http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tre...n/MS03-024.asp
819696 (MS03-030): http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tre...n/MS03-030.asp
AND
http://www.microsoft.com/security/se...s/ms03-026.asp


Just a helpful warning...

[RAMChYLD]

Okay. Got around installing them.

[Lady Slippy Wondercrump]

If you think you may be infected with this virus go here for removal instructions.

http://securityresponse.symantec.com...alinstructions



Note this virus only affect Windows XP and Windows 2000 Machines.

[Nexus]

the important one right now is the 30-026 one, werkin helpdesk and a whole lotta folks didnt bother to patch for this.

Make sure you get that RPC/dcom exploit patch, you can get infected by doing nothing but being on the internet.

[Lil Tiger]

this worm is invicible to not upgraded anti-virus so upgrade!

Worm
cost: a roam around the internet+ windows xp, 2000

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (Aug. 12) - An Internet-borne infection incapacitated tens of thousands of computers on Tuesday, snarling company networks and frustrating home users as it spread across the globe.

Security officials said the virus-like worm, dubbed ''LovSan,'' was part of a coordinated electronic attack that exploited one of the most serious flaws yet discovered in Microsoft Corp.'s Windows operating systems.

Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration shut all its offices at noon as technicians cleaned the agency's network systems.

''There's no telephone service right now. There's no online service right now. There's no kiosk or express office service,'' spokeswoman Cheron Wicker said. ''We are currently working on a fix and expect to be operational again in the morning.''

The worm, which causes computers to mysteriously restart, was first reported in the United States on Monday and, while appearing not to delete files or otherwise incur permanent damage, knocked many computers offline. Non-Microsoft systems were not vulnerable.

Across Asia and Europe, it struck many businesses as they opened and workers logged on, spreading without the need for user intervention.

Graham Cluley, a senior technology consultant with Sophos PLC in Britain, said his company started getting reports about the infection from Australia and then in Europe.

In Sweden, Internet provider TeliaSonera said about 20,000 of its customers were affected after the infection clogged 40 servers that handled Internet traffic. Spokeswoman Lena Rosell said customers had their service restored by late morning.

Denmark initially reported limited problems, but ''the tendency is rising and we're getting more reports of attacks,'' said Preben Andersen, head of Denmark's official virus watchdog agency, DK CERT. ''There must be at least a couple of thousand PCs infected with this worm.''

Among companies affected in Germany was automaker BMW, said spokesman Eckhard Vannieck. The problems did not affect production and the company expected it fixed by day's end.

Computers infected by LovSan were programmed to automatically launch an attack Saturday on windowsupdate.com, a Web site Microsoft uses to avail customers of software patches that can prevent such infections.

The infection was dubbed ''LovSan'' because of a love note left behind on vulnerable computers: ''I just want to say LOVE YOU SAN!'' Researchers also discovered another message hidden inside the infection that appeared to taunt Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates: ''billy gates why do you make this possible? Stop making money and fix your software!''

Microsoft had posted a free patch on the Web site to protect Windows users after it warned on July 16 about the flaw. Nearly all versions of Windows are affected.

The high-profile alerts issued by Microsoft notwithstanding, many businesses did not initially install the patches and scrambled Tuesday to shore up their computers.

''People are too laid back. Microsoft doesn't do these warnings for fun,'' said Cluley. ''I think a lot of people have gotten into the habit of thinking viruses only come in via e-mails.''

Symantec Corp., F-Secure Corp. and other anti-virus companies have free tools for removing the worm. All users, whether their computers were infected or not, should also obtain Microsoft's fix by going to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.%mark-on (They should also update any anti-virus or firewall products they have by visiting the vendors' Web sites.

S.C. Leung, spokesman for the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center, said some home computers crashed, possibly a side effect of the infection, also dubbed ''blaster.''

Individual users and small businesses appeared to be at greater risk than bigger companies, which typically have firewalls that can stem such attacks. But once such a worm gets inside a firewall, unprotected computers are vulnerable.

South Korea's Information and Communication Ministry said that about 1,900 cases of the infection were reported there.

[Dee Dee]

OK I went to Microsoft and downloaded the new patch for win xp.

And I also updated norton

But im still running 2002 ver. or Norton, should that be a prob?

Also is there any more I can do so I don’t get that NASTY bug!!!!!!

And oops also lol one more thing, how protected are we all now lol after we all do this

Dose any one know????

[SkinnyCorky]

With Norton 2002 as long as you update your virus signatures regularly you are not usualy at risk (I usually suggest people update virus definitions at least every two weeks).

As for doing anything else, not much else you cand for this Virus the patch you installed will protect against this one paticular worm going around the Internet but Unfortunately as Microsoft releases less then secure software, but is the most popular operating system out there, people will continue to write new viruses that take advantage of security holes in Microsoft products.

Best suggestion I have is to update you virus scanner definitions once a week and have the Microsoft Automatic Windows Update running on your machine and do the updates everytime it tells you too.


Good luck and have fun.

[Loosy Goosy]

Of course you could always stick with WIN98SE

[ferngullymom]

This is a free virus scan that runs online. It's very user friendly. My husband and I use it about once a month to make sure that I didn't download anything bad.

He knows his shctuff bout puters!


Housecall Online Virus Scan

[Lil Tiger]

search for a file called msblast.exe!
if you have this remove it, if you cant open your "Progresses" and click on it and make it quit, if you have xp activate your firewall to get 5 more minutes. then delete msblast.exe , and download the patch if you havent, lastly use your upgraded virus scanner to remove the last pieces of the worm.