SCN: W32/Nimda virus advisory

[J. Johnson]

Anyone using Microsoft operating systems should note an advisory issued by
CERT regarding the 'W32/Nimda' (or 'Concept Virus').  This virus is
notable for having several modes of attack.  In some cases you could be
infected just by browsing an infected web server.  (Not SCN! as we don't
run MS software.)  As an e-mail attachment, it can infect your machine
without you explicitly opening the attachment, as your mail reader does it
automatically.  See www.cert.org for details.

Fortunately, it does not do much damage, but it could easily jam your
local network.  (SCN is seeing significant traffic from infected sites
probing for backdoors left by the Code Red and sadm worms.)  CERT
recommends that all MS users do the following:

  - Get and apply the appropriate patches from Microsoft.
  - Use anti-virus software.
  - Don't open e-mail attachments! (At least not without checking, first.)
  - Disable JavaScript.

Please note that you do not have to worry about any of this if you do not
use Microsoft software, or if you read your e-mail on SCN.  Otherwise you
really should heed these recommendations.

=== JJ =============================================================

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