

| Subject: | OTP: WARNING-Email Worms |
| From: | Doug Jones |
| Date: | Mon, 29 Mar 1999 19:53:08 -0800 |
Sorry for this off-topic email; but, in case some of you do not know already,...there appear to be more email worm type viruses out there. They go under the names of "Melissa" and "pappa." Melissa is a Word macro virus, and pappa utililzes Excel. Opening the attached .doc or .xls files will allow the virus to access your email program, and your address book. More insidious than Happy99, it will send out copies of itself to the first 50 addressees listed within your address book. Following is a warning I received on Melissa: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 27 March 1999: New Virus Spreading Rapidly A Microsoft Word macro virus affecting machines with Microsoft Word 97 or Word2000 is spreading rapidly via email attachments. Although it exploits no new vulnerabilities, it can send copies of your documents to the first 50 entries in the Microsoft Outlook address book if Outlook is installed. Those infected so far report noticeable network degradation when the virus hits. Those copies are also infected attachments that continue to spread the virus. [Editor's Note: If your users never worried about Word macros before, this is a good time to raise their awareness and have them follow the instructions in the CERT advisory.] Ref: http://www.cert.org/advisories/CA-99-04-Melissa-Macro-Virus.html ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Network Associates also has information on Melissa: http://www.avertlabs.com/public/datafiles/valerts/vinfo/melissa.asp Again, sorry for the off topic email. No flames please, this is not a hoax. DO NOT open any attachment under any circumstances unless it is one you specifically requested from the sender!!! Even if it comes from a friend; Email them to ascertain the validity of the attachment. Sorry to bother everyone; but, there is a fair amount of traffic here from all parts of the globe. Let's be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. Doug Jones
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