I really wish discussion on this stuff could be kept to more appropriate
lists. I spend a lot of time on virus control, and I'm happy to discuss
it with my peers, but that's not why I subscribe to this particular list.
So is there any chance we could dispose of the topics below and get back
to firewalls?
Michael Paris wrote:
> If the virus was sent attached in a .zip or .exe and the infected file was
> run it would infect the computer.
This is, of course, true. But irrelevant to this particular alert.
Nevertheless, mail programs and web browsers should not be configured
to execute downloaded executables or attachments automatically.
>
> I believe he was talking here of a Word Macro Virus, attached as a .DOC
> file, that when opened by Microsoft Word would trash the hard disk.
>
This is a possible attack. But Irina/Irenia/Irinia is a hoax. Please
check the CIAC bulletion H-05: I've previously posted the URL. And you're
talking about a hypothetical trojan, not a virus.
Irena was originally a publicity stunt generated by Penguin Books. It's
been seized upon by hoaxers and the technically-challenged.
> Some users use a program CC Mail that would automagicly open Microsoft
> Word and load the file sent in the e-mail. This could result in the loss
> of the hard disk if the Macro Virus was opened in Microsoft word.
>
This is a possible attack. Other mailreaders and web-browsers can be
configured similarly (and shouldn't be).
> I do have a large collection of Word Viruses, one in my collection,
> (FORMAT-C Word Macro Virus) will do just this in CC-Mail or if opened in
> Microsoft Word.
>
FormatC is a trojan, not a virus. It's too busy trying to trash your
disk to replicate. Destructive trojans and viruses are a possible threat,
though.
> There was a wide spread message that went out about 'The Good Times Virus'
> This indeed was a Hoax! No Virus can wipe the hard disk just by reading
> an e-mail message. BUT, this message below told of an attachment that if
> run would cause dammage!
It could be read that way. And such threats are perfectly feasible. But
this alert is untrue and unhelpful.
The Chinon CD trojan existed but is long past its best-by date.
EOT.
--
David Harley \ | / alt.comp.virus FAQ
D .
Harley @
icrf .
icnet .
uk \ | / & Anti-Virus Web Page
Support & Security Analyst \ | / Folk London On-Line gig-list
Imperial Cancer Research Fund ____\|/____ http://webworlds.co.uk/dharley/
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