Web-Net Solutions Desktop Support

May 4, 2000

On 5-4-00, a MAJOR virus attack was launched that threatened computer systems world wide before the day was half over.Regrettably, one of our clients was infected and suffered somemild damage.

The good news is, Jeff Williamson, one of our PC support team members spent the day researching the virus and how to treat it.He was able to take care of the problem in short order.

If you received the "I love you" or whatever it was e-mail and opened the attachment, your computer is infected and needs to betreated. If you use Outlook, this virus sent itself to everyonein your address book and if they opened the virus, they areinfected too and the attack goes on.

Here is some information about this virus if you are interested....

http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,36123,00.html

A clip:

"The worm, spread through an email visual basic script(.vbs) attachment with the subject header "ILOVEYOU,"began invading U.S. networks overnight after being firstdetected in Europe.

Once the attachment is opened from an Outlook program,the worm is automatically sent to every email address inthe program's address book, with the same "ILOVEYOU"subject header. With Melissa, the worm was sent only to thefirst 50 addresses in the address book. "

Jeff was able to get access to the actual virus program's "sourcecode" and, thus was able to remove it from a number of machinestoday.

The bad news is, it is not over. You may already be infected. Your friends using outlook may not hear about this and open theinfected attachment tomorrow, sending you the infected e-mail.

Here's some things you should do:

-- You should be prepared to delete any message with the "ILOVEYOU" subject.

-- You should have a virus program on your computer and up-dateit frequently -- if you don't have one, we are recommending Symantec's Anitivirus program. Your PC may have come with Macafee which is also a very good solutions. Both should be updated -- available on line -- at least monthly or more. If youdon't have either of these, of course WE would be glad to SELLyou a copy. If you don't know how to (or are too busy) to gothrough the update procedure, we would be glad to PERFORM THESERVICE for you.

-- IF you are infected --- CALL NOW! Operators (ok, operator) is standing by (ok, actually the voice mail is on and it will pageme). Seriously, this could cause some real problems but we can take care of it for you. Or, you could just send a copy of thevirus to all the people you really have a grudge against and seewhat happens. NOTICE: THAT WAS A JOKE. DO NOT SEND THE VIRUS TO ANYONE. I WAS KIDDING. DO NOT EVEN THINK OF DOING THIS.

Seriously, folks, if you got the virus, call us. This is a serious problem requiring specific steps and if you don't feel up to it or are too busy, call and we will schedule a time to comeclean your system.

Likewise, if you want to to set up monthly disk maintenance including virus update, call. We recognize that computers may not be your thing and, to you, they are tools to help you do your job. That's why we went into business. Computers ARE our thing and we want to make sure they are up to the job you require ofthem. Call us to find out more!

End of commercial.

Bill Snodgrass
213-3768
Web-Net Solutions
Web Design, Networking Solutions