Latest Virus, MyDoom, Haunts Users Across the Globe
As if Howard students do not have enough problems with the Internet, their computers are now at risk of being attacked by the latest computer virus.
The MyDoom virus is a computer worm that has been attacking computers all over the world.
The virus is passed through e-mail attachments from one computer to another. MyDoom.A, also known as Novarg or Shimgapi, emerged in late January. The virus is often sent as an e-mail error message from a "mail administrator," or other official-looking addresses that contain a file attachment. The unknowing computer user clicks to download the attachment and before he or she knows it, MyDoom has been downloaded onto their computer.
There are two different versions of the worm, MyDoom.A and MyDoom.B. The MyDoom.A worm is the most widespread while version B has been recently reported.
The worm is programmed to launch a worldwide attack on the website of SCO, one of the largest UNIX vendors in the world, and Microsoft Corporation's website. Experts report it is the biggest virus-like outbreak in months. The first case of the virus was reported in Russia.
"It's hit hundreds of thousands of users worldwide, but we aren't quite sure how many hundreds of thousands. Anyhow, it's all over the place," said Mikko Hypponen, director of anti-virus research at F-Secure.
MyDoom.A was programmed to stop the viruses spread on February 12, but there is a new virus called DoomJuice that attacks computers infected with the worm. DoomJuice is not passed through e-mails, instead it enters through a door opened by MyDoom.A.
Investigators are still trying to capture the programmer of the MyDoom worms, but due to worldwide exposure of the virus, finding the creator will be more difficult than usual.
The SCO posted a $250,000 reward to anyone who can help lead to the discovery of the virus creator. The Microsoft Corporation matched the reward money, pushing the total reward amount to $500,000.
"My computer has been attacked before and it was only out of commission for one day, but it was the longest day of my life. It left me bored for a lot of the day," said sophomore broadcast journalism major Lindsay Walton.
With different viruses and worms spreading throughout the Internet, many students will not be able conduct research, check e-mail, or maintain contact with family and friends.
"I wouldn't know what to do if my computer had a virus, but I know people that are good with computers," said sophomore economics major Jason Dixon.
"If I had the virus, I'd probably call my father because he's an [information technology] man for his company," Walton said.
The I-Lab provides a free service for students and staff to drop off their CPU's or laptops, and computer technicians will either fix the problem or identify the solution.
Computer specialists say the best way keep your computer from being attacked by viruses is to only open e-mails from known senders and to avoid clicking unknown links.
Source: [Thehilltoponline.com]
As if Howard students do not have enough problems with the Internet, their computers are now at risk of being attacked by the latest computer virus.
The MyDoom virus is a computer worm that has been attacking computers all over the world.
The virus is passed through e-mail attachments from one computer to another. MyDoom.A, also known as Novarg or Shimgapi, emerged in late January. The virus is often sent as an e-mail error message from a "mail administrator," or other official-looking addresses that contain a file attachment. The unknowing computer user clicks to download the attachment and before he or she knows it, MyDoom has been downloaded onto their computer.
There are two different versions of the worm, MyDoom.A and MyDoom.B. The MyDoom.A worm is the most widespread while version B has been recently reported.
The worm is programmed to launch a worldwide attack on the website of SCO, one of the largest UNIX vendors in the world, and Microsoft Corporation's website. Experts report it is the biggest virus-like outbreak in months. The first case of the virus was reported in Russia.
"It's hit hundreds of thousands of users worldwide, but we aren't quite sure how many hundreds of thousands. Anyhow, it's all over the place," said Mikko Hypponen, director of anti-virus research at F-Secure.
MyDoom.A was programmed to stop the viruses spread on February 12, but there is a new virus called DoomJuice that attacks computers infected with the worm. DoomJuice is not passed through e-mails, instead it enters through a door opened by MyDoom.A.
Investigators are still trying to capture the programmer of the MyDoom worms, but due to worldwide exposure of the virus, finding the creator will be more difficult than usual.
The SCO posted a $250,000 reward to anyone who can help lead to the discovery of the virus creator. The Microsoft Corporation matched the reward money, pushing the total reward amount to $500,000.
"My computer has been attacked before and it was only out of commission for one day, but it was the longest day of my life. It left me bored for a lot of the day," said sophomore broadcast journalism major Lindsay Walton.
With different viruses and worms spreading throughout the Internet, many students will not be able conduct research, check e-mail, or maintain contact with family and friends.
"I wouldn't know what to do if my computer had a virus, but I know people that are good with computers," said sophomore economics major Jason Dixon.
"If I had the virus, I'd probably call my father because he's an [information technology] man for his company," Walton said.
The I-Lab provides a free service for students and staff to drop off their CPU's or laptops, and computer technicians will either fix the problem or identify the solution.
Computer specialists say the best way keep your computer from being attacked by viruses is to only open e-mails from known senders and to avoid clicking unknown links.
Source: [Thehilltoponline.com]
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