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Microsoft Security Update Worm

Microsoft Security Update Worm

Note that this worm is currently overflowing mailboxes across the Internet.  It arrives in your mailbox claiming to be a patch for a Microsoft security problem.  If the attachment is opened it opens up a backdoor on your system and mass mails itself to everyone in your Outlook address book.

Vulnerable Systems

This worm only affects users of Microsoft Windows 95, 98, NT, Me, 2000, and XP.

Impact

This worm installs a backdoor on your computer to allow hackers easy access to your computer.  It also mass mails itself to users listed in your address book, thereby spreading itself to other computers.

What to Look For

The worm email contains the subject: "Internet Security Update".

The attachment included in the email has a filename of "q216309.exe", where the ".exe" indicates an executable program.  Opening this attachment activates the worm.

It is generally a bad idea to open attachments with file extensions of EXE/COM/BAT/LNK/PIF or SCR as these are programs and can unleash viruses on your computer. 

For more information

Check the CERT Coordination Center for more information on this worm.  Or check SVPAL's virus page for more general virus protection information.

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Last Updated: Friday January 18, 2019
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