A computer virus is a malware program that, when executed, replicates by inserting copies of itself (possibly modified) into other computer programs, data files, or the boot sector of the hard drive; when this replication succeeds, the affected areas are then said to be "infected".[1][2][3][4] Viruses often perform some type of harmful activity on infected hosts, such as stealing hard disk space or CPU time, accessing private information, corrupting data, displaying political or humorous messages on the user's screen, spamming their contacts, or logging their keystrokes. However, not all viruses carry a destructive payload or attempt to hide themselves—the defining characteristic of viruses is that they are self-replicating computer programs which install themselves without the user's consent.
Millions hit by computer virus
by TIM UTTON, Daily Mail
The internet was under attack last night by the fastest-growing computer virus in history.
Worldwide systems were buckling after the 'Sobig.F' spread to 134 countries in just 96 hours, generating tens of millions of e-mails.
Experts fear it could increase the volume of electronic traffic by a staggering 60per cent, slowing the internet to a crawl.
It is believed to have cost British businesses alone hundreds of millions in lost orders and system crashes. The global cost will be immense.
Individual companies have been bombarded with millions of copies of the virus, while home users have seen their machines "jammed" by up to 6,000.
The PC World chain said tens of thousands of customers had brought in computers to be "cleaned" by technicians.
Experts say Sobig appears to have been written by senders of "spam" - unwanted junk e-mail - trying to find ways past internet filters which block their messages.
The new digital onslaught comes hard on the heels of two other major viruses, Blaster and Nachi. "This is the worst barrage of viruses in the history of computing," said Graham Cluley of Sophos Anti-Virus.
"Even companies who are properly protected are feeling a slowdown.
"Sobig. F is the fastest-spreading virus of all time and if it carries on at this pace for a few more days it will become the most prevalent too."
MessageLabs, a British-based Internet security firm, said it had intercepted more than a million copies of Sobig.F in 24 hours, more than for any other virus.
One in 17 of all e-mails sent since Monday was infected. By comparison the 'LoveBug' virus, which hit the headlines three years ago, was found in one in every 28 e-mails at its height.
Sobig.F spreads when unsuspecting users open attachments in e-mails that contain such headings as "Thank you", "Re: Details" or "Re: Wicked Screensaver".
It sends multiple copies of itself to every name in a person's address book - so each infected machine can spawn hundreds of e-mails.
Sobig.F also tries to implant a background program which turns computers into a relay for any messages sent by the virus's creators - greatly increasing their earnings.
Experts advise users to keep anti-virus software up to date, never open an e-mail attachment unless they know what it is and delete uninvited e-mail - particularly from an unknown sender.
Mr Cluley said even e-mails which seem to come from friends or colleagues should be treated with caution.
For anyone whose computer has been infected, the advice is to go to the website of an internet security company like Symantec, FSecure, Sophos, Message Labs or McAfee. Fixing programs are also available from Microsoft.
Anyone whose computer has been slowed too much even to get online can buy anti-virus software from High Street shops or get their machine fixed there.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-193396/Millions-hit-virus.html#ixzz3Tvp3cmvG
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
New computer virus causes havoc
A powerful new computer virus was today causing havoc with e-mail systems across the world.
Experts described the virus, called Goner, as one of the fastest-spreading they had yet seen and warned computer users to immediately delete it if they received it.
Alex Shipp, spokesman for anti-virus service MessageLabs, said: "It's spreading with tremendous speed and thousands of users in Britain have already been sent it.
"The virus mass mails itself out through e-mail and attempts to destroy anti-virus software on computers, which could prove extremely problematic for those unfortunate enough to receive it."
The infected e-mail has the word "Hi" as its subject and body text which reads "When I saw this screen saver, I immediately thought about you. I am in a harry (sic), I promise you will love it." Its attachment is labelled "gone.scr."
It was first detected this morning in the US but experts believe it was created in Europe.
The US, the UK and France are the worst hit of the 17 countries affected so far.
Mr Shipp said: "We had a handful of reports this morning but at mid-afternoon in the UK it went mad. We have had about 30,000 reports and the figure is rising."
A criminal investigation has now been launched in an effort to track down the person responsible for the virus.
Previous viruses, such as Love Bug, Code Red and the Nimda Worm caused problems for millions of computer users across the world
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-88046/New-virus-causes-havoc.html#ixzz3Tvq2bomq
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
