View Full Version : ::IMPORTANT::: Possible New Virus message - everyone should note!!


peter may
08-21-2003, 02:46 PM
I have recently just had this box come up on my computer

Has anyone else had this appear and what does it mean?
how do i fix it!

here is a pic of the box

webuster
08-21-2003, 03:06 PM
No- but a while ago I heard that most people using BT internet would receive a virus due to security glitches, but a patch was available to download. We got the virus-but it only put a few files into quarantine- nothing to crash the computer. Can't remember the name of it-it's gone now though. I think it may have been Bugbear B. I dunno why hackers even bother-they're the only type of people that know all this computer crap, they don't have to wave it in everyones faces and use it for evil.

Blair_Warner02
08-21-2003, 03:29 PM
It looks like you have a virus. According to McAfee (I know you have Norton) W32/Sobig.f@MM is a high risk worm.

A new variant of W32/Sobig, W32/Sobig.f@MM is a High Risk mass-mailing worm. It arrives as an email attachment with a .pif or .scr extension. When run, it infects the host computer, then emails itself (using its own SMTP engine) to harvested email addresses from the victim's machine.
In addition, when it propagates, the worm "spoofs" the "from: field", using one of the harvested email addresses. So exercise care when opening emails with attachments. An infected email can come from addresses you recognize.

Because it sends so many emails, a worm like Sobig also saps bandwidth and slows network performance. Worse, it can also open up a user's computer port, making it vulnerable to hackers, who can plant dangerous Trojans. These malicious programs often let unauthorized users remotely take over a system, steal personal information or use the infected PC to send spam.

How do you know if you've been infected?

The worm copies itself onto an infected machine as:
C:\WINNT\WINPPR32.EXE

I can't find any removal instructions (or infoon this virus) from Norton, they may not know this virus exists yet but McAfee's are as follows.

How do you clean your system if it's already infected?

Download McAfee Stinger. A stand-alone utility used to detect and remove specific viruses, it is not a substitute for full anti-virus protection, but rather a tool to assist administrators and users when dealing with an infected system.

How do you prevent future attacks?

Update your anti-virus software. Always ensure your virus definition DAT files are current. (I had to update mine yesterday)

If I find Norton instructions I will post them here.

Good Luck

Blair_Warner02
08-21-2003, 03:38 PM
I found Norton instructions.

Removal using the W32.Sobig.F@mm Removal Tool
Symantec Security Response has developed a removal tool to clean the infections of W32.Sobig.F@mm. This is the easiest way to remove this threat and should be tried first.

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.sobig.f@mm.removal.tool.html

Manual Removal
As an alternative to using the removal tool, you can manually remove this threat.

The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.

NOTE: If you are on a network or have a full-time connection to the Internet, disconnect the computer from the network and the Internet. Remove this threat from all the computers on the network before reconnecting to it. Disable or password-protect file sharing before reconnecting the computers to the network or to the Internet. For instructions, see your Windows documentation, or the document, "How to configure shared Windows folders for maximum network protection."

IMPORTANT: Do not skip this step. Disconnect from the network before attempting to remove this worm.


Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
Update the virus definitions.
Do one of the following:
Windows 95/98/Me: Restart the computer in Safe mode.
Windows NT/2000/XP: End the Trojan process.
Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as W32.Sobig.F@mm.
Delete the value that was added to the registry.

For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. Disabling System Restore (Windows Me/XP)
If you are running Windows Me or Windows XP, we recommend that you temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows Me/XP uses this feature, which is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer.

Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has the potential of restoring an infected file on your computer, even after you have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations.

Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even though you have removed the threat.

For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or one of the following articles:
"How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore"
"How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore"

2. Updating the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:
Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions: These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week (usually on Wednesdays), unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, refer to the Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate).
Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted on U.S. business days (Monday through Friday). You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer to the Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).

The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are available: Read "How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater" for detailed instructions.

3. Restarting the computer in Safe mode or ending the Trojan process
Windows 95/98/Me
Restart the computer in Safe mode. All the Windows 32-bit operating systems, except for Windows NT, can be restarted in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, "How to start the computer in Safe Mode."

Windows NT/2000/XP
To end the Trojan process:
Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete once.
Click Task Manager.
Click the Processes tab.
Double-click the Image Name column header to alphabetically sort the processes.
Scroll through the list and look for Winppr32.exe.
If you find the file, click it, and then click End Process.
Exit the Task Manager.

4. Scanning for and deleting the infected files
Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document, "How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files."
For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the document, "How to verify that a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan all files."
Run a full system scan.
If any files are detected as infected with W32.Sobig.F@mm, click Delete.


5. Deleting the value from the registry

CAUTION: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before making any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified keys only. Read the document, "How to make a backup of the Windows registry," for instructions.

Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
Type regedit

Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)


Navigate to the key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run


In the right pane, delete the value:

"TrayX"="%Windir%\winppr32.exe /sinc"


Navigate to the key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run


In the right pane, delete the value:

"TrayX"="%Windir%\winppr32.exe /sinc"


Exit the Registry Editor.

Truth
08-21-2003, 03:42 PM
I wouldn't call it a high risk worm... It removes itself from your system in a couple weeks but it is spreading really fast....

ConservativeBalla
08-21-2003, 04:08 PM
I just want to say to everyone with a computer problem: (And, you should take the time to read)

Make sure you have, AND KEEP FREQUENTLY UPDATED these things:

A Virus Scanner (I can't suggest one, because some Liberals will accuse me of using a "My way or the highway" thing because "Conservative" is in my name)

A Firewall (I can't suggest one, because some Liberals will accuse me of using a "My way or the highway" thing because "Conservative" is in my name)

A program that finds and deletes "Spyware" and "Adware". (I can't suggest one, because some Liberals will accuse me of using a "My way or the highway" statement because "Conservative" is in my name)

Other tips after you get these:

Don't use "KaZaA" or any other file-sharing program to download full versions of Virus Scanners/Firewalls, just go spend the 40 - 50 bucks and do it right. Like with the registering and everything. The Spyware/Adware removal programs are free, I'm pretty sure, so I guess you can get them from KaZaA. I wouldn't, though. I'd still go to their websites and get them.

Be sure to run the Spyware/Adware scanner, and the Virus Scanner to scan your computer at least once a week. I'd do the Spyware/Adware Removal program scanner at least once a day, especially when you're done using the Internet)

Make sure your Virus Scanner and Firewall are always running, ESPECIALLY if you are on the Internet; and MORE ESPECIALLY, (Not really a real phrase I don't think, lol) if you have any sort of an "Always on" Internet connection such as Cable, DSL, Satellite, etc. And MOST ESPECIALLY have them on if you're using any File-sharing network such as "KaZaA".

Hope this helps! (If you DO want my recommendations, post and ask so Liberals won't jump down my throat, they tend to hate me and my posts right when they see my name.) Good luck!

peter may
08-21-2003, 04:17 PM
thanks blair warner

your advice and link are very much appreciated:)

Blair_Warner02
08-21-2003, 04:23 PM
Your Welcome:)

Truth
08-21-2003, 04:24 PM
Originally posted by ConservativeBaller
[B](I can't suggest one, because some Liberals will accuse me of using a "My way or the highway" thing


Oh my goodness... :rolleyes:





Beside that though nice post...