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Viruses can infect your computer by reading, or even, previewing, email.
There are many ways that you can find out what these email infectors are and
take the steps to prevent an infection.
You can get a virus as easily as reading an email. A site called the “EMAIL
Help Center” can guide you on how to prevent this from happening to you or
those you send mail to.

You can test whether your email system is vulnerable to email viruses and
attacks such as emails containing mail attachments, web page HTML’s, and
many more types of computer processing that be infected with one of many
different types of viruses.

A computer virus is a self-replicating program containing code that explicitly

copies itself and that can "infect" other programs by modifying them or their
environment such that a call to an infected program implies a call to a possibly
evolved copy of the virus.
 Since the age of technology arose, and the twentieth century of computers
came about, there have always been an attempt from those trying to be “smarter” then
the average computer, (or computer user, for that matter). It was the very famous Fred
Cohen who "wrote the book" on computer viruses. He was the soul in the
development of a theoretical, and mathematical model of computer virus behavior. He
was able to use his logic to test several hypothesis about computer virus’s. Cohen's
very own, and well-known, informal definition is "a computer virus is a computer
program that can infect other computer programs by modifying them in such a
way as to include a (possibly evolved) copy of itself". This does not mean that a
computer has to undergo actual destruction(such as deleting or corrupting files) in
order to be classified as a "virus" by Cohen’s definition. Many people use the term
"virus" loosely to cover any sort of program that tries to hide its possible destructive
functions and\or tries to spread onto as many computers as possible; leaving us with a
long list of possibilities to deal with.
*Patricia Hoffman's hypertext VSUM. It covers PC viruses and it is
regarded by many in the anti virus field as being inaccurate, so it is
advised that you not to rely solely on it. It can be downloaded from
most major archive sites. 
*A more precise source of information is the Computer Virus
Catalog,published by the Virus Test Center in Hamburg. It contains
highly technical descriptions of computer viruses for several platforms:
DOS,Mac, Amiga, Atari ST and Unix. It is available by anonymous
FTP from atik.uni-hamburg. For the directory, go to:
pub/virus/texts/catalog.
* Another small collection of a good technical descriptions of PC
viruses,called CARObase, is available from atik.uni-hamburg.
*There is plenty of information in the monthly Virus Bulletin,
published in the UK. Among other things, it gives detailed
technical information on viruses . Want a –month subscribtion:
only $395.00!!
*Another source of information is the book "Virus
Encyclopedia" which is part of the printed documentation of
Dr. Solomon's AntiVirus ToolKit (a commercial DOS antivirus
program). The WWW site www.datafellows.fi, has an on-line,
cross-reference data base containing descriptions of about 1500
PC viruses!
* Lastly, a network-accessible source of information for viruses
is provided by IBM AntiVirus, at
:http://www.brs.ibm.com/ibmav.html.
 ARMORED Virus

An ARMORED virus is one that uses special tricks to make

tracing,disassembling and understanding of its code more difficult.
EX.A good example is the Whale virus. 
 CAVITY Virus

A CAVITY VIRUS is one which overwrites a part of the host file

that is filled with a constant (usually nulls), without increasing the
length of the file, but preserving its functionality.
The Lehigh virus was an early example of a cavity virus.
 COMPANION VIRUS

The COMPANION virus is one that, instead of modifying an existing

file,creates a new program which is executed instead of the intended
program.
On exit, the new program executes the original program so that things
appear normal. On PCs this has usually been accomplished by creating
an infected .COM file with the same name as an existing .EXE file.
Integrity checking anti virus software that only looks for modifications
in existing files will fail to detect such viruses.
 ComputerVirus & Virus-L

To subscribe to Virus-L, send e-mail to

LISTSERV@LEHIGH.EDU saying "SUBVIRUS-L
your-name". For example:  SUB VIRUS-L Jane
Doe To be removed from the Virus-L mailing list,
send a message to LISTSERV@LEHIGH.EDU
saying "SIGNOFF VIRUS-L". To "subscribe" to
comp.virus, simply use your favorite USENET
newsreader to read the group. 
 Comp.Virus & Virus-L

Virus-L and comp.virus are BOTH “discussion forums”

that focus on computer virus issues.
More specifically, Virus-L is an electronic mailing list
and comp.virus is a USENET newsgroup.
Both groups are moderated; and all submissions are
sent to the moderator who decides if a submission
should be distributed to the groups.
Virus-L is distributed in "digest" format (with multiple
e-mail postings in one large digest) and comp.virus is
distributed as individual news postings.However, the
content of the two groups is identical.
 FILE Infectors…for PC’s
The first class of the common PC virus consists of the FILE INFECTORS
which attach themselves to ordinary program files. These usually infect
arbitrary COM and/or EXE programs,though some can infect any program
for which execution or interpretation is requested, such as SYS, OVL, OBJ,
PRG, MNU and BAT files.
 File infectors can be either DIRECT-ACTION or RESIDENT. A direct-
action virus selects one or more programs to infect each time a program
infected by it is executed.
A resident virus installs itself somewhere in memory (RAM) the first time
an infected program is executed, and thereafter infects other programs
when they are executed, or when other conditions are fulfilled.
Direct-action viruses are also sometimes referred to as NON-
RESIDENT.The Vienna virus is an example of a direct-action virus. Most
viruses are resident.
 POLYMORPHIC Virus

 A POLYMORPHIC virus is one that produces varied but

operational copies of itself. This is so that virus scanners will not
be able to detect all instances of the virus. 
One method of evading scan string-driven virus detectors is self-
encryption with a variable key. These viruses (Cascades) are not
"polymorphic", as their decryption code is always the
same.Therefore the decryptor can be used as a scan string by the
simplest scan string-driven virus scanners (unless another virus uses
the identical decryption routine and the exact identification.)
 Stealth Viruses
The STEALTH virus is one that, while "active“ can hide the changes
it has made to files or boot records. This is achieved by monitoring
the system functions used to read files or sectors from storage media
and forging the results of calls to such functions. Meaning that
programs that try to read infected files or sectors see the original,
uninfected form instead of the actual, infected form.
The virus's modifications may go undetected by anti virus
programs.: VERY TRICKY
In order to do this, the virus must be a resident in memory when the
anti virus program is executed and this may be detected by antivirus
program.
 SYSTEM or BOOT-RECORD
Infectors
A second PC category of viruses is SYSTEM or BOOT-RECORD
INFECTORS:these viruses infect executable code found in certain
system areas on a disk.
On PCs there are ordinary boot-sector viruses, which infect only
the DOS boot sector, and MBR viruses which infect the Master
Boot Recordon fixed disks and the DOS boot sector on diskettes.
( Examples include Brain, Stoned, Empire, Azusa and
Michelangelo.)
All common boot sector and MBR viruses are memory
resident. To confuse this classification somewhat, a few viruses are
able to infect BOTH files and boot sectors (the Tequila virus is one
example).These are often called "MULTI-PARTITE" viruses, or
the"BOOT-AND-FILE" virus.
 The TROJAN HORSE Virus

A “TROJAN HORSE” is a program that does something

undocumented that the programmer intended, but that
some users would not approve of if they knew about it.
It is a virus, as it is one which is able to spread to other
programs(i.e., it turns them into Trojans too). A virus that
does not do any deliberate damage (other than merely
replicating)is not a Trojan.
 TUNNELLING Virus

A TUNNELLING VIRUS is one that finds the original interrupt

handlers in DOS and the BIOS and calls them directly.
Then, by passing any activity monitoring program, which may be
loaded and have intercepted, it interrupts the vectors in its attempt
to detect viral activity.
Some anti virus software also uses these “tunnelling” techniques in
an attempt to by pass any unknown or undetected virus that may
be active when it runs.
 Worms
A computer WORM is a self-contained program (or set of
programs), that is able to spread functional copies of itself
or its segments to other computer systems (usually via
network connections). 
Unlike other viruses, worms do not need to attach
themselves to a host program.
There are two types of worms—
1. “host computer worms” &
2.”network worms”. 
NETWORK- Computer Worms

 Network worms consist of multiple parts, called

"segments.“ They each run on different machines (and
possibly perform different actions) using the network for
several communication purposes.
Moving a segment from one machine to another is only one
of their purposes. Network worms that have only one main
segment will coordinate the work of the other segments;
which are sometimes called "octopuses."
 HOST- Computer Worms
Host computer worms are entirely contained in
the computer they run on and use network
connections only to copy themselves to other
computers.
Host computer worms are the original
terminates after it launches a copy on to another
host (so there is only one copy of the worm
running somewhere on the network at any given
moment). They are sometimes called"rabbits."
TOP 5 Virus’s Reported
14
12
10
8
Percent Reported to
6 Sophos 2003
4
2
0
W32/klez/h W32- W32/ElKern-
Bugbear-A C
Protect Yourself from
Computer Virus’s
• AVIEN & AVI-EWS
• CERT
• STOPzilla
• GFI Mail Security for Exchange
• Anti Virus eScan 2003
• CIAC
• Cyber notes
• ICSA
• Information Security Magazine
• NIPC (National Infrastructure
Protection Ctr)
• SANS Institute
• Virus Bulletin
Brought to you by Guide Picks…
 #1 ~ PANDA ANTIVIRUS
PLATIINUM v7.0
Panda Antivirus Platinum v7.0 combines anti virus
and firewall protection to provide robust security
with minimal system impact. Optional script blocking
and attachment filtering combined with daily
updates helps ensure protection against even new
and unknown email threats. Downside: cumbersome
custom configuration for scans.
 #2 ~NORTON ANTIVIRUS 2003
This latest version of Norton AntiVirus
offers automatic updating combined with
script blocking and outbound worm
detection. It also includes protection
against IM worms and infected
attachments sent via America Online,
Yahoo!, and MSN instant messenger
programs. Downside: cumbersome
custom configuration for scans.
 #3~ F-PROT FOR WINDOWS
F-Prot for Windows continues to impress
with solid 100% ItW and 96.34% Zoo
detection. The interface is extremely
pleasing - easy enough for novice users to
navigate yet sophisticated enough for the
more advanced. An excellent addition to any
antiviral arenal. Downside: like other Top
Picks, excluding folders is a cumbersome
task. However, erring on the side of
protection is never a bad idea.
 #4~ MCAFEE VIRUSSCAN
HOME EDITION 7.0
Scoring 100% detection for ItW threats
and 99.84% Zoo (with a mere .01% false
positive rate), VirusScan Home Edition
provides the protection needed in today's
hostile computing environment. Script
Stopper technology stops VBScript and
JScript worms. Hostile Activity Watch
Kernel looks for suspicious activity and
stops mass-mailing worms. Downside:
Some reports of incompatibility with
ZoneAlarm.
 #5~ NORMAN VIRUS CONTROL

Norman Virus Control offers a highly respectable

100% rate of detection for ItW threats and
91.92% Zoo with only a .02% false positive rate.
With configurable email attachment blocking,
decompression module, and sandboxing, Norman
Virus Control has earned its second top pick
award. The new interface helps better integrate
the various modules. Downside: cumbersome
custom configuration for scans.
 #6~ PC-CILLIN
With 100% ItW, 94.82% Zoo detection, and only
a .02% false positive rate, Trend Micro's best-of-
breed anti virus protection features an integrated
firewall and extends its scanning to include even
web-based email. PC-cillin also provides mobile
users the extra protection needed to stay virus-
free on the road, including Wi-Fi connection
security and PDA synchronization protection.
 #7 ~ BIT DEFENDER
PROFESSIONAL v6.5
Softwin's BitDefender Professional provides
filtering of URLs, IP addresses, and ports, as well
as seamless signature updates every 8 hours.
BitDefender's impressive 100% ItW and 94.21%
Zoo detection also protects against viruses
encountered through the use of ICQ, Yahoo!
Messenger, NetMeeting, or MSN Messenger.
 #8 ~ NOD 32
Nod32 continues to be a personal
favorite. With a tiny footprint, its
presence on the system is barely
perceptible yet it packs quite a bit of
protection. For older systems, Nod32 may
well be the only antivirus solution capable
of offering superb 100% detection and
prevention of ItW threats without
impacting performance. Downside:
inability to exclude folders from scanning.
 #9 STOPzilla!
 BLOCK annoying popup-windows for good and forever with
STOPzilla!STOPzilla maximizes your surfing speed by guarding your
system against annoying unwanted popup windows. With fully
customizable options that allow you to configure STOPzilla to meet
your surfing needs, you will never again be smothered in an endless
sea of pop-ups!
•Acts like a firewall for popup windows, & Monitors your system while
you surf the web and destroys pop-ups before they open.
•Speeds up your surfing by keeping pop ups at bay, & is Configurable
warnings alert you when a site attempts to open a pop-up.
•Automatically add sites to the STOPzilla Black List to prevent all
future popup attempts.
•Fully customizable settings give you the flexibility to 'ALLOW' or
'BLOCK' with the single click of a mouse.
•Audible alerts let you know when STOPzilla has thwarted a
perpetrator
 'SARS' computer virus hits India
Breaking News Story : May 8, 2003
NEW DELHI - Computers in India are vulnerable to a mass mailing worm "SARS", also
known as W32/Coronex-A, which attacks address books and attempts to dupe users.

Micro World Technologies Inc, a content security and IT solutions provider, has
cautioned computer users of the mass mailing worm that uses a variety of subject lines,
message bodies and attachment names, including "SARS Virus" and Hong Kong.exe.

"SARS forwards itself to all contacts in address books and attempts to dupe innocent
computer users into opening an attachment offering details on the current SARS
epidemic. The worm is delivered as an e-mail attachment and the e-mail may have a
subject line about the current paranoia about SARS," a statement said.

The SARS worm just goes onto prove that there are still scores of virus writers who use
common fears to spread dangerous viruses throughout the world, Govind Rammurthy,
MD and CEO, Micro World Inc said.

However, the impact of the worm seems to be less destructive, a security analyst said.
Sunil Chandran, CEO, Stellar info, a data security firm in Delhi said, "The worm has
been in operation since April 24 and so far its nature of destruction is not high and not
widespread and there has been no reporting of data loss by customers to us."
 What do expert’s believe are in
store for the future of Virus’s?
''Iraq will destroy us by computer,'' the experts screamed
by Rob Rosenburg -- 05/01/03
"IRAQ WILL CRIPPLE the U.S. with cyber-attacks," the fear mongers warned. I tell
you, everyone got into the act -- from Congress to the FBI to former CIA officials to
computer security salesmen.
Even a fire-breathing Muslim cleric living the high life in Britain got into the act. Even
a delusional narcissistic hacker living in the slums of Kuala Lumpur got into the act. I
tell you, everyone screamed about the coming cybergeddon.
I mean, c'mon! How much effort does it take to “open a digital can of whoop-ass” on
the United States? From what I hear, even a 14 year old Iraqi nomad can remotely shut
down our national power grid and remotely pollute our vital toilet water supplies.
In August of last year, an ominous m2g press release quoted CEO D.K. Matai: "it
would seem highly likely that the launch of a physical attack on Iraq will see counter-
attacks from disgruntled Arab, Islamic fundamentalist and anti-American groups."
mi2g warned terrorists might launch remote-controlled “SCADA Attacks” along with
those (equally?) scary "chemical, biological, radiological, [and] nuclear" attacks.
CONT. In December 2002, IDC chief research officer John Gantz predicted a major cyber
terrorism event would occur in 2003 -- a cybertastrophe "that will disrupt the economy and bring
the Internet to its knees for at least a day or two," according to News.com scribe Ed Frauenheim.
Gantz specifically warned "the [looming] war with Iraq will galvanize hackers."
A New York Times story in mid-January quoted House Armed Services Committee member
Robert E. Andrews (D-NJ), who warned "a cyber attack really fits Saddam Hussein's paradigm
for attacking us." The same New York Times story quoted ex-FBI flunky Michael Vatis (a well-
documented fear-monger) on the cyber-threat Iraq could pose to U.S. interests should war break
out. ""I would suspect [Iraq's computer warfare program is] at a middling stage ... but even a
middling capability can cause serious harm."
FBI's National Internet Infrastructure Protection Center (now known as DHS NIPC) issued a
pre-war advisory to say Iraq or its sympathizers might cripple the U.S. with Spam.
Meanwhile, Japan's version of NIPC -- the Information Technology Security Center within the
Ministry of Economy -- went on "heightened alert" after their prime minister made comments
supporting the U.S.-led coalition against Iraq. The agency soon upgraded its cyber-threat
assessment and sent a written plea ("written"?) to computer security firms to ask them to "watch
for computer virus attacks and unauthorized changes to Web sites."
According to a Kyodo newswire, Japan's version of NIPC wanted to assure the public "[computer
security firms] will be on alert day and night to be able to act immediately on any abnormal
incidents." No doubt.
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