Virus Encyclopedia

The exact description is not available.

This is now the most common type of virus. It spreads as an attachment to an e-mail sent from the infected computer. It is also able to spread by other methods - copying itself to shared network disks in local network, sending via IRC or as a file with some alluring name within a folder on a "peer-to-peer" file sharing system.

E-mail content

E-mail message created by the virus is often suspect at first appearance - it normally contains a few sentences in English trying to convince you that you should open the attached file.

However this is not always the case - some viruses use text or parts of text randomly taken from files within the infected computer and some even take existing message from Inbox folder. They put this text within the e-mail and attach the infected file and forward the virus on by e-mail.

Sender address

Latest viruses send e-mails with faked sender message header, so there is no point in replying to it with notice about infection.

Also - if you are unlucky in that an I-worm randomly selects your e-mail address to use in the "sender" header, you start to receive undeliverable messages (that you never sent) or automatic messages from mail servers that your e-mail messages are infected.

Outlook & Outlook Express

Because these mail clients are very popular, they act as a magnet for virus writers to abuse their features or security holes. If you use one of these mail clients it is recommended you keep it updated with security updates and service packs released by Microsoft.