University combats latest global computer virus outbreak

University Park, Pa. -- The latest global computer virus outbreak has reached Penn State, and University officials are advising students, faculty and staff of ways to minimize its spread and reduce the impact on network users.

The e-mail-based virus, which has proliferated the Internet this week on a massive scale, is known by several names, including variations of Norvarg, MyDoom and Mimail-R. On average, the University’s security filters are rejecting six viral e-mail messages every second.

The virus is identifiable by an executable attachment to incoming, unsolicited e-mail, which may appear to be from a familiar person’s e-mail address. It frequently has a subject line that is blank or contains the following words: Hello, Status, Test, Server Report, Error, or Mail Transaction Failed.

The virus also can be spread through KaZaa file shares.

“In addition to the load on mail systems everywhere – which is estimated by some sources to be as high as one in every 12 e-mail messages – the virus contains a backdoor component that will allow an intruder to remotely control the affected machine and do whatever malicious activity they desire,” said Kathy Kimball, director of computer and network security at Penn State.

The virus also is set up to flood a Utah-based corporation, SCO Group, on Feb. 1. Depending on the number of infected machines, the flood could cause local slowdowns on networks around the country.

Penn State is currently rejecting incoming e-mail with suspect subject lines and is isolating known infected sources by suppressing outgoing mail from that source. Users identified as having infected computers will be notified by the University’s information technology services office and given instructions on how to remove the virus. Those who do not respond immediately to these instructions will be removed from the University’s network backbone to prevent further spread of the virus.

Kimball urges users not to open e-mail attachments without first verifying from the sender – even if it is someone known – that they intended to send it. Also, the latest version of the Norton anti-virus software is available free to Penn State faculty, students and staff, and has the virus definitions that will prevent the user’s personal computer from becoming infected. The software can be downloaded at https://downloadsym.cac.psu.edu/