Another virus to strike

[KMA]

W32.Novarg.A@mm is a mass-mailing worm that arrives as an attachment with the file extension .bat, .cmd, .exe, .pif, .scr, or .zip.
When a computer is infected, the worm will set up a backdoor into the system by opening TCP ports 3127 through 3198, which can potentially allow an attacker to connect to the computer and use it as a proxy to gain access to its network resources.

In addition, the backdoor can download and execute arbitrary files.

The worm will perform a Denial of Service (DoS) starting on February 1, 2004. It also has a trigger date to stop spreading on February 12, 2004.

Note:
Symantec Consumer products that support Worm Blocking functionality automatically detect this threat as it attempts to spread.
Symantec Security Response has developed a removal tool to clean the infections of W32.Novarg.A@mm



Also Known As: W32/Mydoom@MM [McAfee], WORM_MIMAIL.R [Trend], Win32.Mydoom.A [Computer Associates], W32/Mydoom-A [Sophos], I-Worm.Novarg [Kaspersky]

Type: Worm
Infection Length: 22,528 bytes, variable file size for a .zip attachment



Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP
Systems Not Affected: DOS, Linux, Macintosh, OS/2, UNIX, Windows 3.x

 

[Wineguy]

KMA....thanks for all your help on here. I got rid of a lot of start up programs and have been running so much better. Now, one more question for you regarding Microsoft Explorer. I use it to connect on Comcast, and yesterday I got a message stating that it has encountered a problem and needs to close. Please tell Microsoft about this problem is highlited. It also states we have created an error report that you can send to help us improve Microsoft Internet Explorer. We will treat this report as confidential and anonymous. Then, at the bottom I have the option to send error report or Don't send. When I hit don't send I get an iexplore message stating this program has performed an illegal function and will be shut down(also, one says lstsv at the top). If I hit close, the original screen I explained above pops back up and I go around in circles. One other thing: Restart Microsoft Explorer is checked off, but does not do this. I have to uncheck it to get the message off my screen. I can get into Comcast using our AOL account, so that part is working.

Any suggestions, and do you know the number for Microsoft Explorer or how to reach them? Should I do this? Thanks in advance if you have the time...if not, I understand.

Wine

 

[Stuman]

Thanks for the heads up KMA, but this one hit us two days ago. I have temporarily banned .zip attachments on our network until this thing clears up. (We already block all the other types)

WineGuy,
Sounds like you are running 98 or ME. That is an extremely unstable OS. My recommendation - get Win 2K or XP. I know you probably didn't want to hear that though.

Stuman

 

[Wineguy]

Thanks Stuman...it is 98 and this is the first problem I've had? Do I have a choice to do anything else? To get 2000 or XP, do I take my computer to someone to do it or do I need a whole new computer? Sorry, not very c-literate, but know enough to try myself. Thanks again.

 

[msdee]

Don't worry. Get a Macintosh:idea:

 

[KMA]

I posted earlier, different variation Stuman!!!



Wineguy:


I'm confused, you connect to Comcast??? Comcast is all "cable", you shouldn't have to connect. The modem is always "online" unless you unplug it, or tell your Firewall to stop internet activity, or put your modem on "standby". BUT, even then, you still shouldn't have to "connect" per se.


I can tell you how to turn off "Error Reporting" that might help.

Right-Click on "My Computer"
Choose "Properties"
and then select the "Advanced" tab (up top)
Then at the bottom click the "Error Reporting" button
Click the "Disable Error Reporting" bullet.
You can "check" the box below it that will still allow you to be notified of errors though.

This will at least stop that "pop up" asking you if you want to report things to Microsoft from happening.



If you need help from Microsoft, YOU pay the call. It is long distance for most since it is in Washington State.


You could try switching browsers to:

http://mozilla.com

or

http://netscape.com


Good Luck!!!

 

[Wineguy]

Thank you KMA, I'm out of town and on my laptop, but will try the pathway you suggest.ou are correct...always connected on comcast, this problem occurs when I double click on internet explorer through Comcast. Sorry for the confusion. For your help twice, I'd love to send you a couple of bottles of your favorite libation and you can get my email from Jack, if he'll give it to you, and I will send it.

 

[Wineguy]

KMA....just got home and the only tabs after Properties are General, Device Manager, Hardware Profiles and Performance. There is no Advanced tab. Is there another way to try this??????? Thanks again!

Wine

 

[KMA]

It should be in your Add/Remove program area


Look here:


Start
- Settings
- Add/Remove Program
- then Error Reporting, or "Miscrosoft Error Reporting

 

[Wineguy]

Thanks for trying KMA.....I'm so frustrated. There is no Add/Remove programs when I click settings. I have control panel, printers, taskbar and start menu, folders option, active desktop, and windows update. Sorry for bothering you......Last question....should I use a new browser above and what do I need to do to start it. Or, can I re-install internet explorer? Pop-up continues every time I try explorer. Sheeesh!!!!

Wine

 

[KMA]

Wait, check again!!!




Start
Settings
Control Panel
Add/Remove Programs.

 

[Wineguy]

Thanks KMA....but, no Microsoft Error or error reporting program on there. Could it be something else? Here are some I don't recognize: (or, should I try another browser and is it easy to do?)

Service Connection
Pop This!
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 and internet tools
MSN messenger service 2.1
Microsoft Frontpage Express
Microsoft.Net framework
IST svc
Encarta Online
Chaincast Proxy


Thanks again for your patience and diligence. Regardless, I'd love to send you a bottle or two of your favorite adult liquor beverage.

Wine

 

[KMA]

.

 

[KMA]

Wineguy:

Don't touch anything you aren't famliar with, we WILL get to the bottom of this!!!


How can you delete a thread here???

 

[KMA]

Be Back in a while to check this!!!

 

[Wineguy]

That is just it. I can't open Explorer because I get the box that I stated above in my first post in this thread. The only internet access I have is through AOL. Does that make sense? Its probably very simple and I'm just not explaining myself. Thanks, and enjoy your Saturday.

 

[KMA]

It appears that the bozo's at Comcast never took the time to verify what OS you are running on your machine. The instructions they have given you pertain to WIndows XP, when you are running Windows 98, the reason why you couldn't find the error reporting feature installed on your machine is simply because it had not yet been born during the times of Windows 98.

It is therefore logical to assume that you might have added Microsoft Error reporting later on, perhaps while running a windows update, or by upgrading the IE to version 6 and then adding the latest servicepacks. In any event, here is what iMicrosoft has to say about the error reporting tool:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;276550



On the other hand , if the memory conflict or whatever script error is occuring on your system is triggering a condition of a completely different nature, it could be that your Internet Explorer is generating this problem.

You can disable script debugging from your IE control panel:

Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Internet Options -> Advanced

And it is the item which is about 5 or 6 lines down from the top. You can also control the display of error notifications when a script throws an exception.

I hope this helps you out!!!

 

[Wineguy]

Thanks KMA but none of this worked. Is there any way to get rid of the browser and reload it? That may be a dumb question but I am willing to try anything at this point. Anything to do with Explorer brings up the box you saw at the link you provided, and with no "advanced" option to choose, I'm stuck. I'll be back on Friday. Take care.

Wine

 

[KMA]

You have all my sympathies, BUT removing Internet Explorer from a Windows box will for the most part kill the machine. You might as well re-install all of Windows 98 even for trying to remove IE from it. Even if you do not use IE, just keep it updated.
If even after following the instructions which Microsoft themselves provided to remove the error reporting tool -- I guarantee you that the error reporting tool did not come as a part of Windows 98. It was added on to your system much later.

One way to get IE to work properly is to apply its service pack. Another is based on whether or not you have the latest version. If you already have the latest version, then you will need to say to Microsoft I already have the latest version, but re-install it anyway from scratch. If you have a previous version, it will automatically recommend that you do the upgrade.

In either case, you will find the IE6 upgrade at:

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

If you are unable to load this in IE, then you can always use a different browser to get the IE install startup file (it is a fairly quick download because it is only some 500 or 600K). Once you have IESetup.exe, you can run it and it will download the entire IE6 package during its installation.

Or, you can directly download the IE install executable here:


http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...cb-5e5d-48f5-b02b-20b602228de6&displaylang=en


The othehr alternative you have is to rebuild your system completely from scratch, like backup all your data, and then stick the WIndows 98 CD into the CD-ROM drive, and re-partition, re-format, and re-install Windows 98, actually, if your system has some decent resources, you can install Windows XP pro. It is certainly better than Windows 98.

 

[Wineguy]

Well, KMA, I have done all the above but still get that damn box each time I try to open up explorer. It will not even allow me onto the internet. Sheesh! I guess myquestion is" Should I go back as you suggested earlier and install Mozilla? Will that allow me to go online without going through slow AOL? Thanks once again.

Wine