MS emails

[Chris Lanier]

Microsoft NEVER sends Email with attachments.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/news/patch_hoax.asp

WHAT IS IT?
The Microsoft Product Support Services Security Team is issuing this alert
to advise customers to be on the alert for this virus as it spreads in the
wild. Customers are advised to review the information and take the
appropriate action for their environments.

IMPACT OF ATTACK: Mass Mailing, disabling processes related to security
software such as antivirus and firewall software

W32.Gibe_mm
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/[email protected]

W32.Dumaru_mm
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/[email protected]

W32.Swen.A_mm
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/[email protected]

 

[Gregory Burgh]

I have been flooded with 'Microsoft Critical Patch', New Microsoft Pack',
'Current Net Critcal Patch', 'MS public Bulletin' emails with attachments.
They look suspicious, so hsve not opened them. When scanned for viruses they
seem ok. Are these legiitamate? If so, why not send or update in the usual
manner...auto updates?

 

[Ken Blake]

In

I have been flooded with 'Microsoft Critical Patch', New Microsoft
Pack', 'Current Net Critcal Patch', 'MS public Bulletin' emails with
attachments. They look suspicious, so hsve not opened them. When
scanned for viruses they seem ok. Are these legiitamate? If so, why
not send or update in the usual manner...auto updates?

They are *not* legitimate, and the attachments contain viruses.
If your virus checker doesn't catch them, you either are not
currrent with its virus definition updates or you need a better
virus checker.

By the way, note that Microsoft *never* sends out patches by
E-mail.

 

[CWatters]

They are being sent by the latest Internet worm(s). I'm getting 1400 a day.
Some have contained copies of the virus/worm but most don't. Keep your
antivirus S/W uptodate and remember Microsoft never send out email. Always
use Windows Update from the Control Panel NEVER run or install an attachment
sent you by email.

I set up an Outlook "Rule" to deal with the current problem. It does the
following...

It moves all new messages to a new folder called Spam UNLESS my email
address in in the recipient's address field OR UNLESS the sender is in my
contacts address book.

It sounds too simple but I've run it on around 5000 spam messages and a 100
or so wanted emails and it does seem to be reasonably effective but not 100%
perfect.

Colin