posted on August 21, 2003 05:12:33 AM new
I always keep my virus scan and firewall up-to-date .... my email address is through AOL ... i do NOT have the 'virus' or the worm that is "out there" going on right now [i check several times per day lately] ... but i AM deleting hundreds of mailer-daemons and emails with attachments every day for the past 3 days [and only on this ONE aol address; not the others!] ... our selling ID has been associated with our aol email address since 1997 ... aol also tells me i don't have the virus, but that someone i know *does* ... I am starting to think that the only way to stop these from bouncing off [and back into] my email address, is to change my address. ... that would totally bum me out to have to do that ... [my only consolation would be that my ebay name would remain the same] ...
here is what AOL's virus info center says about these recent 'mailer-daemons' and 'attachments':
Whenever you receive a message from a "mailer-daemon," it means that your Internet service provider did not accept your e-mail for some reason. Usually, it is because you have misspelled the recipient's e-mail address.
You might also receive messages from "mailer-daemon" today and over the next few days because someone you know is infected with the "Sobig" worm. The worm infects other computers by sending a copy of itself to all the e-mail addresses it finds on the infected computer. The worm randomly selects one of the e-mail addresses it finds and uses it to forge the sender's address. If the worm on your friend's computer picked your e-mail address as the sender, then you are receiving the "mailer-daemon" messages from the recipient's Internet service provider informing you that the e-mail that you supposedly sent was rejected.
If the recipient was an AOL member, the e-mail would be rejected because our mail system checks all incoming attachments for viruses and refuses to deliver or send the e-mail until the infected file attachment has been removed or cleaned up. These virus scans are done automatically for your protection. This service is included with your membership to AOL.
If I Am Getting These MAILER-DAEMON Messages, Am I Infected With the Sobig Worm?
Not necessarily. All it means is that your e-mail address was stored somewhere on an infected computer. You must update the virus definition file for your anti-virus software and then run an anti-virus scan of your computer to determine if you are infected with the worm.
What Is the Sobig worm?
The "Sobig" worm, also known as W32.Sobig.f@mm, is a malicious program circulating on the Internet. If your computer becomes infected with the worm, an unauthorized person can remotely download and run programs on your computer, stealing confidential information from you, or use your computer to send spam.
Am I Vulnerable?
Yes, if you use Windows. The worm can infect Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, and XP. Macintosh operating systems are unaffected by this worm.
How Can I Help Protect Myself?
1. Be careful. Don't download any e-mail attachments, even from people you know, with any of the following subject lines:
- Re: Details
- Re: Approved
- Re: Re: My details!
- Re: Thank you!
- Re: That movie
- Re: Wicked screensaver
- Re: Your application
- Thank you
- Your details
The e-mail attachment might have one of the following names:
2. Update your anti-virus software with the latest virus definition file from your vendor and run a scan of all the files on 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.
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?
1. Download and install any security patches for your operating system and any other programs you have installed on your computer.
2. If you have a broadband connection, install a firewall and don't turn it off.
If you don't have a firewall, AOL for Broadband members can download a free version of McAfee's firewall, compliments of AOL for Broadband, at McAfee Personal Firewall Express.
For general information about online security and safety, please visit AOL Keyword: Safety.
For more information about AOL's anti-virus premium service, see McAfee VirusScan Online -- Brought to you by AOL.
