What Is the Sobig worm?
The "Sobig" worm, also known as聽W32.Sobig.f@mm,聽is a聽malicious program circulating on the Internet. If your computer becomes infected with the worm,聽an unauthorized person聽can remotely download and run programs on your computer, stealing confidential information from you, or use your computer to send spam.
What's happening now?
Security experts have just determined that the Sobig.f worm is designed to wake up at 3 p.m. ET on Fridays and maybe also on聽Sundays and download an unknown聽program to聽an infected computer. The program could be something聽malicious or it could be something benign.
Can this happen to me?
Yes, if you use Windows and are infected with the worm. The worm can聽infect Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, and XP.聽Macintosh聽operating systems are unaffected by this worm.聽
How Can I聽Protect Myself?
1. Be careful and don't get infected with the worm. Don't download any聽e-mail attachments, even from people you know,聽with any of the following subject lines:
聽聽聽 -聽聽聽 Re: Details
聽聽聽 -聽聽聽 Re: Approved
聽聽聽 -聽聽聽 Re: Re: My details!
聽聽聽 -聽聽聽 Re: Thank you!
聽聽聽 -聽聽聽 Re: That movie
聽聽聽 -聽聽聽 Re: Wicked screensaver
聽聽聽 -聽聽聽 Re:聽Your application
聽聽聽 -聽聽聽 Thank you
聽聽聽 -聽聽聽 Your details
The e-mail attachment聽might have one of the following names:
聽聽聽 -聽聽聽 your_document.pif
聽聽聽 -聽聽聽 document_all.pif
聽聽聽 -聽聽聽 thank_you.pif
聽聽聽 -聽聽聽 your_details.pif
聽聽聽 -聽聽聽 document_9446.pif
聽聽聽 -聽聽聽 application.pif
聽聽聽 -聽聽聽 wicked_scr.scr
聽聽聽 -聽聽聽 movie0045.pif
2.聽Update your anti-virus software with the latest virus definition file from your vendor聽and run a聽scan of all the files on聽your hard drive.
If you don't have anti-virus software, you can subscribe to McAfee VirusScan Online -- Brought to you by AOL and get the latest updates every time you log on to AOL. You can also purchase anti-virus software from other vendors.
3.聽聽聽 If you have a broadband connection or are connecting to AOL using a non-AOL dial-up, install聽a聽firewall and don't turn it off.
AOL for Broadband members who don't already have a firewall can download a free version of McAfee's firewall, compliments of AOL for Broadband, at McAfee Personal Firewall Express.
What If I am Already Infected?
You can remove this virus manually -- however, we don't recommend that you do so. The best way to remove the worm is to update your anti-virus software and run a complete scan of the hard drive. If your anti-virus software finds a virus, follow the vendor's instructions for removing the virus.
What Else Can I Do to Protect Myself?
Download and install any security patches for your operating system and any other programs you have installed on your computer.
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