UPDATE: Lovgate.C worm spreading across Internet

A worm with high damage potential is spreading across the Internet, with initial outbreaks Monday in Europe and Asia, Trend Micro Inc. said.

The Lovgate.C worm, a variant of an earlier worm with the same name, propagates itself by replying to e-mail in a user’s inbox with an attachment containing the bad code, Trend said. It then installs a backdoor port that allows a remote user to access and modify files on an infected user’s system.

The self-replicating worm spreads through network shared folders and subfolders as well as through the traditional method of an unsuspecting user clicking on an attachment.

Trend Micro provided an example where a legitimate e-mail sent to an infected user, concerning something business-related, is replied to by the worm with the message, “I’ll try to respond as soon as possible. Take a look to [sic] the attachment and send me your opinion!” Users will often click on this attachment, since it comes from a person they know, Trend said.

Clicking on the attachment sends the malicious code into several executable files on a user’s system.

Antti-Virus Emergency Response Team (AVERT), a division of Network Associates Inc., also on Monday also issued an alert concerning the mailer worm. The firm rated the threat as “medium,” and also provided a list of possible filenames the worm could use. Among names on the list: fun.exe, hamster.exe, docs.exe, setup.exe, joke.exe, card.exe and pics.exe.

The worm is affecting users of Microsoft Corp.’s Outlook and Outlook Express e-mail programs. The overall risk of the worm is classified as medium at this time, and more details can be found on Network Associate’s Web site at www.nai.com, or at Trend’s Web site at www.trendmicro.com.

– With files from IT World Canada Staff

Would you recommend this article?

Share

Thanks for taking the time to let us know what you think of this article!
We'd love to hear your opinion about this or any other story you read in our publication.


Jim Love, Chief Content Officer, IT World Canada

Featured Download

Featured Articles

Empowering the hybrid workforce: how technology can build a better employee experience

Across the country, employees from organizations of all sizes expect flexibility...

What’s behind the best customer experience: How to make it real for your business

The best customer experience – the kind that builds businesses and...

Overcoming the obstacles to optimized operations

Network-driven optimization is a top priority for many Canadian business leaders...

Thriving amid Canada’s tech talent shortage

With today’s tight labour market, rising customer demands, fast-evolving cyber threats...

Staying protected and compliant in an evolving IT landscape

Canadian businesses have changed remarkably and quickly over the last few...

Related Tech News

Tech Jobs

Our experienced team of journalists and bloggers bring you engaging in-depth interviews, videos and content targeted to IT professionals and line-of-business executives.

Tech Companies Hiring Right Now