newsgroup virus?

[Craig Cernek]

I don't know if this is coincidence, but when I first
began using these newsgroups about two weeks ago I have
been inundated with what appeared to be fake e-mail
messages from Microsoft for me to upgrade to the latest
security patches.

Since I had never been contacted by Microsoft in this
manner before for upgrades, I always use the update
Wizard on my system tray, I simply ignored and deleted
the messages.

However shortly thereafter I began to receive and
continue to receive about 50 to 70 "unable to deliver"
or "undeliverable" e-mails a day referencing e-mail
addresses that do not exist in my contact database!

I continually run a virus protection program on my
computer, update virus definitions, and perform full
system scans regularly. So I assume that my computer is
not infected!?

Does anyone recognize either of these as virus threats?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Please take a moment to read the following articles:

How to Trim the "Spam" from Your E-Mail Diet
http://www.microsoft.com/security/articles/spam.asp

Information on Bogus Microsoft Security Bulletin E-mails
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/news/patch_hoax.asp

How to Tell If a Microsoft Security-Related Message Is Genuine
http://www.microsoft.com/security/antivirus/authenticate_mail.asp


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

------------------------------------------------------------------------


| I don't know if this is coincidence, but when I first
| began using these newsgroups about two weeks ago I have
| been inundated with what appeared to be fake e-mail
| messages from Microsoft for me to upgrade to the latest
| security patches.
|
| Since I had never been contacted by Microsoft in this
| manner before for upgrades, I always use the update
| Wizard on my system tray, I simply ignored and deleted
| the messages.
|
| However shortly thereafter I began to receive and
| continue to receive about 50 to 70 "unable to deliver"
| or "undeliverable" e-mails a day referencing e-mail
| addresses that do not exist in my contact database!
|
| I continually run a virus protection program on my
| computer, update virus definitions, and perform full
| system scans regularly. So I assume that my computer is
| not infected!?
|
| Does anyone recognize either of these as virus threats?

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

If I could add to Carey's posting - any emails that you get with attachments between 138 Kb and 165 Kb delete them ****immediately**** - don't consider looking at them.

 

[John]

Yesterday was the first day I used this board, and about
an hour later I started getting these fake e-mail
messages from Microsoft for me to upgrade to the latest
security patches. I've gotten 8 in 24hr. I made the
mistake of using my home email address, never again will
I use it for Microsoft stuff. Norton deleted the files
before even down loading them to my system.

-----Original Message-----
Hi

If I could add to Carey's posting - any emails that you

get with attachments between 138 Kb and 165 Kb delete
them ****immediately**** - don't consider looking at them.

 

[Gordon Burgess-Parker]

Yesterday was the first day I used this board, and about
an hour later I started getting these fake e-mail
messages from Microsoft for me to upgrade to the latest
security patches. I've gotten 8 in 24hr. I made the
mistake of using my home email address, never again will
I use it for Microsoft stuff. Norton deleted the files
before even down loading them to my system.
get with attachments between 138 Kb and 165 Kb delete
them ****immediately**** - don't consider looking at them.

It's not just the MS groups - it's *ALL* usenet that's affected.

 

[Will Denny]

Only 8 in 24 hours - you've been lucky. Some people are 8 an hour.

 

[Steve Nielsen]

Don't use your real email address in forums.

Steve

 

[GV]

I recognize this as I am having the same problem.
However, my system is sending out an email I sent a month ago. Luckily it
was just a change of email email so no big deal. However, it sounds like
this is the bugbear virus. I run symantec system works and it shows it but
cannot uninstall it even after reading and following symantec instructions.
So... what to tell you?... mmm... nothing really. Just that I am suffering
from the same issue.
Let me know if you find an answer.
thanks,
gv

 

[Tom R.]

Download this program,
McAfee AVERT Stinger
to a floppy and then run it
on the infected computer.
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/
That should remove it.
Good Luck,
Tom