Watchout "My party" virus!

[Andrej Tisma]

New Email Worm 'My Party' Surfaces, Begins to Grow
Mon Jan 28, 8:07 AM ET

LONDON (Reuters) - A new computer bug that tries to trick computer users 
into clicking on a virus-infected Web link masquerading as party photos 
emerged in Asia on Monday morning and began spreading to Europe, 
computer experts said.


The so-called "My Party" worm, which is not considered destructive, 
spreads by infiltrating popular email software Microsoft Windows Address 
Book and Outlook Express Database.

The worm emails itself to every person in an infected users' email log 
making it look as if the worm comes from a colleague or friend, experts 
said.

Anti-virus specialist Trend Micro gave it a medium risk rating. Security 
firms said that compared with past email worms, such as Nimda and 
Sircam, the number of reported "My Party" infections thus far is moderate.

The virus arrives as an email with the subject line "new photos from my 
party!" It contains an innocuous looking file attachment called 
www.myparty.yahoo.com. A message in the body of the email reads: "Hello! 
My party... It was absolutely amazing! I have attached my web page with 
new photos! If you can please make color prints of my photos. Thanks!"

Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos Anti-Virus, said 
because it carries what appears to be an authentic link from the popular 
Web portal Yahoo and appears to come from a colleague or friend, the 
worm has the potential to spread quickly.

As of 1200 GMT, Sophos received reports of infection from corporate 
clients and academic institutions in Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Sophos has devised a patch at: 
http:/www.sophos.com/virusinfo/analyzes/w32mypartya.html