OL98: VBS.Freelink Virus in Message with Subject: "Check this. Have fun with these links. Bye"

• Microsoft Outlook 98

SUMMARY

If you receive an e-mail message with:

• The To box empty



• The message includes an attachment



• The Subject is, Check this. Have fun with these links. Bye.

MORE INFORMATION

The VBS.Freelink virus distributes itself as an e-mail attachment. The e-mail attachment must be opened for the virus to propagate. If a recipient opens the attachment and clicks Yes to create a desktop shortcut, the shortcut is created, and links to an adult Website. If Outlook is running, the virus will search all address entries in all Outlook address books to create a list of recipients, who are BCCed on a generated message containing the virus attachment. It is important to note that the VBS.Freelink virus does not execute automatically and does not damage data.

This virus is a malicious use of Visual Basic Scripting Edition (VBScript). It is not an Outlook virus; any product that supports VBScript reacts similarly. The virus requires later versions of Microsoft Visual Basic programming language, which means Microsoft Windows 95 users are not affected.

Anti-virus companies have already posted updated software that detects and cleans this virus. For additional information on this and other security issues, click the link below:

http://www.microsoft.com/security

Additional query words: 98 trojan horse worm macro

Keywords :
Version : WINDOWS:
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type :