911 Virus Alert

04-03-2000, 11:40 AM

Hi to All

I have just received this information in the mail from a reliable source. It
appears genuine and could pose a serious threat. The anti-virus companies
only received a copy of the code today - suggest that you download the
latest virus signature files over the next couple of days and keep your
system updated, and if you have network file sharing turned on, do as the
mail suggests and turn it off, unless this is going to cause you operating
problems on your network. If you are operating a stand-alone system, you do
not need network file sharing - it should be off.

If you have any technical problems or queries, please don't contact me -
contact your anti-virus software supplier.

I would remind everyone that any alerts that you may receive from time to
time should be forwarded to me - kundaliniyoga-owner (AT) onelist (DOT) com and NOT to
the list. I only forward them to the list once I have satisfied myself that
they are not hoaxes.

Sat Nam!
Gordon

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A sharp subscriber (thanks Toni) sent in the following alert. It
took a while to verify it at a site other than the ones mentioned in
the alert, but I finally have, and this seems genuine. One of the
things to note, is that it recommends turning off file sharing. I
have had file sharing turned off for years, but that may not work for
you if you're in a network environment an you need to have file
sharing between computers.

Another thing, if this were to spread, because it dials emergency 911
systems it could actually cause grave damage outside your computer.
If it were to tie up an emergency 911 system at the time there was an
emergency, someone needing emergency services could perish without
the needed help. Because of this, even though the virus hasn't
spread far yet, gives it far ranging implications. Here's the alert:

---------------------------

At 8:00 am on Saturday, April 1 (This is not an April Fool's
joke!) the FBI announced it had discovered malicious code wiping
out the data on hard drives and dialing 911. This is a vicious
virus and needs to be stopped quickly. That can only be done
through wide-scale individual action. Please forward this note
to everyone who you know who might be affected.

The FBI Advisory is posted at
http://www.nipc.gov/nipc/advis00-038.htm

The 911 virus is the first "Windows shares virus." Unlike
recent viruses that propagate though eMail, the 911 virus
silently jumps directly from machine to machine across the
Internet by scanning for, and exploiting, open Windows shares.
After successfully reproducing itself in other
Internet-connected machines (to assure its continued survival)
it uses the machine's modem to dial 911 and erases the local
machine's hard drive. The virus is operational; victims are
already reporting wiped-out hard drives.

The virus was launched through AOL, AT&T, MCI, and NetZero in
the Houston area. The investigation points to relatively
limited
distribution so far, but there are no walls in the Internet.

-----------------
Action 1: Defense
-----------------

Verify that your system and those of all your coworkers,
friends, and associates are not vulnerable by verifying that
file sharing is turned off.

* On a Windows 95/98 system, system-wide file sharing is
managed by selecting My Computer, Control Panel, Networks, and
clicking on the File and Print Sharing button. For
folder-by-folder controls, you can use Windows Explorer (Start,
Programs, Windows Explorer) and highlight a primary folder such
as My Documents and then right mouse click and select
properties. There you will find a tab for sharing.

* On a Windows NT, check Control Panel, Server, Shares.

For an excellent way to instantly check system vulnerability,
and for detailed assistance in managing Windows file sharing,
see: Shields Up! A free service from Gibson Research
(http://grc.com/)

-------------------
Action 2: Forensics
-------------------

If you find that you did have file sharing turned on, search
your hard drive for hidden directories named "chode",
"foreskin",
or "dickhair" (we apologize for the indiscretion - but those are
the real directory names). These are HIDDEN directories, so you
must configure the Find command to show hidden directories.
Under
the Windows Explorer menu choose View/Options: "Show All Files".

If you find those directories: remove them.

And, if you find them, and want help from law enforcement, call
the FBI National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC) Watch
Office at 202-323-3204/3205/3206. The FBI/NIPC has done an
extraordinary job of getting data out early on this virus and
deserves both kudos and cooperation.

You can help the whole community by letting both the FBI and
SANS (intrusion@...) know if you've been hit, so we can
monitor the spread of this virus.

--------------
Moving Forward
--------------

The virus detection companies received a copy of the code for
the 911 Virus early this morning, so keep your virus signature
files up-to-date.

We'll post new information at www.sans.org as it becomes
available.

Prepared by:
Alan Paller, Research Director, The SANS Institute
Steve Gibson, President, Gibson Research Corporation
Stephen Northcutt, Director, Global Incident Analysis Center