InfoGram

February 8, 2001

NOTE: This InfoGram will be distributed weekly to provide members of the emergency services sector with news and information concerning the protection of their critical information systems. For further information please contact the U.S. Fire Administration's Critical Infrastructure Protection Information Center at (301) 447-1325 or email at usfacipc@fema.gov.

Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP): "Viruses - Valentine's Day"

• As Valentine's Day approaches, computer users are being warned to be vigilant as a new Love Bug style virus could bring their systems crashing down again. According to research conducted by IDC for service provider Messagelabs, users are still opening risky emails, despite the estimated $7 billion in damage caused by the deadly Love Bug virus last year, which crippled computer systems worldwide. The Love Bug was spread by an email that, once opened by the recipient, sent new messages to everyone in the user's address book, crashing entire mail servers in the process. Despite the publicity the virus received, the study found that some 37% of business email users across the UK would still open such an email on February 14, if it appears to come from a recognized source. (http://www.vnunet.com)
• A new European version of the Love Bug computer virus started spreading through Europe during the evening of February 7 and has infected computers at ten institutions so far, according to one anti-virus firm. The spreading is particularly worrisome because it occurred in the middle of the night, say officials from Trend Micro. (http://www.antivirus.com/vinfo/)
• Hundreds of computers across the University of Pennsylvania campus have been infected with the "BleBla.b" virus, which spreads through email. The virus prohibits computer users from opening their programs, possibly destroying them, and instead sends the virus out to other email addresses. "The virus spreads very fast," warned an Information Technology Advisor. The virus which originated in Poland, can be recognized by the subject line which can range from "Romeo and Juliet" to Merry Christmas". The virus only affects computers that use Outlook or Outlook Express to open their emails. (http://www.uwire.com)
• Emergency service computer users should be vigilant in their use of email systems. These reported viruses are covered by the current versions of most anti-virus software products. The anti-virus software must be kept up-to-date with upgrades from the manufacturer. If you are not sure of the email that you receive delete it before it is opened.