WARNING VIRUS

[davyw1]

Just received from a friend.

Just received from our Global IT Cell

URGENT INFORMATION - Virus Warning

Overview: This is to notify all users that we have been informed via MoD, of a malicious e-mail that has been circulating from the Internet that contains a virus. The e-mail thanks customers for using a new service called "Buy Airplane Ticket Online" and claims that their credit cards have been charged. The email also includes an attachment with an apparent purchase invoice and the flight ticket.

The attachment appears to contain a virus by the name Trojan.Zbot-1715.
This can appear to be from Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines and others as a cover.

Start Date / Time: N/A
Finish Date / Time: N/A
Site/Users Affected:

Systems Affected/Impact: N/A

Users Required To: If users do receive such an e-mail that is unexpected, they MUST NOT open any attachment, but delete the e-mail immediately. If you do inadvertently open the attachment, you must stop using the PC immediately, switch it off, inform your site manager and have them contact the helpdesk of the possible infection.
_________________

[davyw1]

[woppa30]

A lot of these things are often fake but a quick google found this page...

http://www.419legal.org/blog/2008/07/26/northwest-airlines-delta-airlines-midwest-air-group-sun-country-airlines-email-phishing-scam/

and it appears to be real.

As a rule of thumb, don't open emails from people you are not sure about of have no business with and most importantly make sure your anti virus definitions are up to date. There are several good free ones out there, they make life so much more simpler.
Alternatively use Linux instead of windows and these are sooooo much less of a problem.
Safe surfing :-)
Woppa

[asbean]

I get a lot of emails like this forwarded from friends to everyone in their addressbook, from everyone in their addressbook ad infinitum.  I have a stock reply:


Install reputable anti-virus software and KEEP IT UP TO DATE (either switch on automatic updates or do it manually daily or weekly depending on how much you use the PC and certainly it should be the first thing you do before you open emails when returning from holiday etc)

Perform regular scans (set the software to do it once a week, perhaps when you've got the machine switched on but are not using it)

Install a firewall (do not rely on the Windows firewall)

Make sure your operating system (XP?) is up to date.  Updates come out monthly; Service Pack 3 came out recently, have you downloaded it and is it installed correctly?

Don't open any attachments from anyone (even if you know them) unless you are expecting them.  Scan the attachment before opening it. If you receive an email from someone with a suspicious attachment, read the text of the email - does it read as though it came from them?  Usually the grammar and spelling is dreadful.

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

  Usually the grammar and spelling is dreadful.

VIRUS ALERT!  ;D

[kenkew]

Non Virus scare-mongering is in itself a virus!

[Emagggie]

I check suspect stuff out with www.hoaxslayer.com. It seems to be up to date with all I've needed to look at.

[Larkshall]

Alternatively use Linux instead of windows and these are sooooo much less of a problem.
Safe surfing :-)
Woppa

I agree, I have been using Ubuntu/Linux a long time and have no problems (and none of those d***** silly error warnings you get with Windows).

[bluebedouin]

I check suspect stuff out with www.hoaxslayer.com. It seems to be up to date with all I've needed to look at.

I think you need to put a hyphen between hoax & slayer. ;) :)

[Emagggie]

Well so I do! ;D Thanks bluebedouin.

[Hyacinth]

OK, here's the mail I got in my Yahoo account (and NO, I didn't open the attachment!)

Good day,
Thank you for using our new service "Buy airplane ticket Online" on our website.
Your account has been created:

Your login:(I've deleted it..)
Your password: passQ8AC

Your credit card has been charged for $695.63.
We would like to remind you that whenever you order tickets on our website you get a discount of 10%!
Attached to this message is the purchase Invoice and the airplane ticket.
To use your ticket, simply print it on a color printed, and you are set to take off for the journey!

Kind regards,
American Airlines

I fly with AA a lot ( the last time was last week) and buy my tickets on-line.  I'm a member of their Frequent Flyer programme and get monthly bulletins of offers into my primary account. This came into my Yahoo account which I only use for Freecycle and of which AA has no knowledge and it doesn't carry the usual AA blurb. Two factual inaccuracies in the mail (been buying tks on-line for a loooong time from them) and, of course, a typing error and lousy sentence construction..spot-on Asbean! 8)

btw. I passed the mail on to AA so that they can alert Members if they wish. I also commented that a 10% reduction for on-line purchases was a v.v.v. good idea ;D