Virus Threat

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he said. Thus, users should make sure their software is turned on and has the

latest definitions, generally available for free from the software vendor's Web

site. F-Secure also has created a free removal tool. "If you are infected, and

you find out about it today, you still have time to get rid of the virus,"

Hypponen said. As worms go, the spread of BlackWorm is relatively low. But

worms these days are generally designed t o help spammers and hackers carry out

attacks, not

to destroy files as this one does. So the impact this time may be more severe.

Microsoft Corp. issued an advisory Tuesday warning customers about the worm,

which affects most versions of its Windows operating system. Users should be

safe if they have the latest anti-virus software or if their computers are set

with limited privileges, a common setting in larger organizations. They are

vulnerable if they, like many small business and home users, leave their

computers set with full administrative rights.

120%; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">And users should check the date on the computer. The

worm hits the third of every month, so if the computer's local calendar

settings are off, Hypponen said, files may be destroyed sooner or later, even

if the computer is never turned on Friday. ___ On the Net:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/904420.mspx

http://www.f-secure.comAshish Kaistha ashish.kaistha Software

Engineer, Algorism Softech Gurgaon

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