|
PureBytes Links
Trading Reference Links
|
This press release comes from Data Fellows. For more
information on Data Fellows' mailing list policy,
see end of message.
VIRUS ALERT!
DATA FELLOWS WARNS OF DECEMBER 13TH ACTIVATION OF THE "THUS" VIRUS
Destructive macro virus erases files on hard disk
Espoo, Finland, December 10, 1999. - Data Fellows, a leading provider of
centrally-managed, widely distributed security solutions, is warning computer
users about the W97M/Thus virus, also known as the Thursday virus. Thus is a
virulent and widespread virus which can destroy information on a user's
computer. It activates on December 13th.
Thus is a macro virus that spreads via Word 97 and Word 2000 files which have
been downloaded onto a user's computer from e-mail attachments or infected
diskettes or CDs. Data Fellows' F-Secure Anti-Virus erases the virus, if the
software has been updated since September.
When the user opens an infected document, the virus infects the system,
including the global template as well as every currently open document in
Word.
After that, every document that is created, opened or closed will be infected.
On December 13, it deletes all files from all directories on the "C:" drive.
Prior to that date, the virus does not manifest itself in any way - it shows
no
messages and the user will not see that his computer is infected until it’s
too
late.
"The worrying thing about this virus is that it’s really common", says Mikko
Hypponen, manager of anti-virus research at Data Fellows. "The Thus virus was
discovered at the end of August, 1999, and it has been reported in the wild
globally since September.”
If a user's computer is protected by anti-virus software which has been
updated
since September 1999, problems are unlikely to occur. Users should
double-check
to make sure their software is up-to-date and able to detect the Thus virus.
Also, it is advisable to make back-ups of important data. If in any doubt,
download the free evaluation version of F-Secure Anti-Virus from the Data
Fellows website now.
Technical description of the virus is available in the Data Fellows virus
description database at:
http://www.DataFellows.com/v-descs/thus.htm
About Data Fellows
Data Fellows is a leading developer of centrally managed, widely distributed
security solutions. The company offers a full range of award-winning,
integrated anti-virus, file encryption and VPN solutions for workstations,
servers and gateways. F-Secure products and Framework are uniquely suited for
delivery of Security as a Service™ by enterprise IT departments as well as a
wide range of partners including ISPs, outsourcing firms and ASPs. For the
end-user, Security as a Service is invisible, automatic, reliable, always-on,
and up-to-date. For the administrator, Security as a Service means
policy-based
management, instant alerts, and centralized management of a widely-distributed
user base.
Founded in 1988, Data Fellows is listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange (HEX:
FSC). The company is headquartered in Espoo, Finland with North American
headquarters in San Jose, California, as well as offices in Canada, Germany,
China, France, Japan and the United Kingdom. Data Fellows is supported by a
network of VARs and Distributors in over 90 countries around the globe.
For more information, please contact
Finland:
Data Fellows Corporation
Mr. Mikko Hyppönen, Manager, Anti-Virus Research.
PL 24
FIN-02231 ESPOO
Tel +358 9 8599 0513
Fax +358 9 8599 0599
E-mail: Mikko.Hypponen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
USA:
Data Fellows Inc.
Mr. Dan Takata, Manager, Training Division, Professional Services
675 N. First Street, 8th Floor
San Jose, CA 95112
Tel. +1 408 938 6700,
Fax +1 408 938 6701
e-mail Dan.Takata@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.DataFellows.com/
Mailing list policy
You have previously expressed interest in our products, or have asked
to be included on one of our press release lists by personally giving us
your e-mail address for this purpose.Our mailing list are for the
exclusive use and the expressed purpose of Data Fellows and are not
sold or or given to third parties.
If you no longer wish to receive our press releases, or your email address
has been added to our lists without your consent, you can unsubscribe at
http://www.DataFellows.com/news/subscribe.html
If you only wish to receive our press releases concerning viruses,
please go to
http://www.DataFellows.com/news/subscribe.html
and first unsubscribe from
press-english-interest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
and then subscribe to
press-english-virus-announcement@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
________________________________________________
Marita Nasman-Repo tel: +358 9 8599 0613
Communicator fax : +358 9 8599 0599
mobile: +358 40 517 4613
Data Fellows Corporation http://www.DataFellows.com
F-Secure products: Integrated Solutions for Enterprise Security
|