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Experts warn of fast-spreading new virus
Wednesday, December 05 2001
by Sheila McDonald


Anti-virus software companies on Tuesday were warning of 'Goner', a new virus
spreading fast in Ireland and internationally through Microsoft Outlook.





Goner, which is technically classified as an e-mail worm, arrives with the
message subject line "Hi." The text of the message reads, "How are you? When
I saw this screen saver, I immediately thought about you. I am in a harry, I
promise you will love it!"



The attachment to the message is a file called GONE.SCR. If users click on the
attachment, Goner will attempt to e-mail itself using Microsoft Outlook to all
entries in the Outlook Address book. The program also deletes various files on
the hard disk, and may delete important security software including common
anti-virus and firewall products, which will have to be reinstalled.



In a unique twist, Goner is also spreading itself using popular on-line chat
software including ICQ, which is owned by AOL, and the IRC network.



Irish security company Priority Data Group reported late on Tuesday that Goner
was already widely affecting Irish users, and on Tuesday night the anti-virus
software company Symantec upgraded Goner to a more serious threat level, Category
4, due to the number of reports it had received and the level of damage it had
already caused.



E-mail users already affected by the virus can download a free virus removal tool
from Symantec at the following address: 
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/
.



All e-mail users have been advised to update their virus definitions as soon as
possible. Free virus updates are usually included with one-year subscriptions to
anti-virus software.



Goner joins a host of virulent viruses that have already plagued global computer
systems this year, including Nimda, Code Red and Sircam. California research firm
Computer Economics estimates that more than USD12.3 billion in damage has been
wrought by computer viruses in 2001, including USD2.62 billion from Code Red
alone. 



The damage in 2000 from viruses like the Love Bug was far higher, at a total of
USD17.1 billion. Computer Economics says the fall in virus activity may be due to
a perception that law enforcement officials are actively tracking cyber activity
as part of a defence strategy against cyber terrorist attacks.



More information: http://www.symantec.com.