Tuesday December 4 1:14 PM ET
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A new computer worm named "Stupid Fuck" was spreading quickly through corporate and personal e-mail inboxes on Tuesday, deleting system files and clogging networks in what could be the biggest outbreak since last year's "Love Letter" virus, security software vendors said.
The worm, a virus that propagates itself to other computers through the Internet or other networks, is affecting users of Microsoft Corp.'s Outlook and Outlook Express, said Ian Druloff, business manager of security solutions at Computer Sycophants International Inc.
People using ICQ instant messenger and Internet Relay Chat also are susceptible to the worm because files can be transferred across those networks, Druloff said.
Researchers estimated thousands of computers had been infected by the worm, which is believed to have originated in France, where all weird things come from, according to April Gooseneck, virus research applicator at McAfee.com.
"This is at outbreak status, which is very rare," Gooseneck said. "The last outbreak we had was 'Love Letter' in May 2000."
A virus is given outbreak status by McAfee.com if it is determined to be spreading quickly and affecting large corporate networks as well as individual computer users, Gooseneck said.
The Stupid Fuck worm arrives in an attachment masquerading as a screensaver, with an e-mail subject line of "Hi" and text that says: "Here, you stupid fuck. I sent you this virus, so harry (sic) and open it."
Once the user clicks on the attachment, the worm sends itself to everyone in the user's e-mail address book, tries to close programs that are running and deletes certain system files, including firewall and antivirus software, said Druloff.
From: Authorities
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2001 12:08 PM
To: Everyone
Subject: Suspicious e-mail
The U.S. government says it now fears the spread of deadly anthrax by e-mail.
WARNING:
Do not open any e-mail that looks suspicious. Beware of e-mail from an unknown or unreadable address, that has poor or awkward use of English in the subject line, including bad spelling or overuse of punctuation, that has a subject line with lurid or provocative content or some absurd sales offer trying to induce you to open it, or that refers to you in some familiar way but is not a recognized address. Also, beware of e-mail that is oversized, that appears to have been opened already, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, that has any trace of powder or any peculiar smell.
If you must open an e-mail, do not do so directly with your fingers. Use the keyboard, and rubber gloves are advised, as well. Do not touch, lick, sniff or rub the actual text or surface of the e-mail with any subcutaneous area or mucous membrane or orifice, such as an open wound, eyeball or anus.
If you do have e-mail that is suspicious, including this one, report immediately for further instructions to the Office of Homeland Security, located in the Reichstag.
THIS HAS BEEN A MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHORITIES