"Matrix" virus/worm widespread...

Question

The "MATRIX" virus/worm a.k.a. W95.MTX,W32/MTX@mm, I-Worm.MTX, MTX_.exe, W32/Apology, W32/Apology-B Alert...

Answer

This question was answered on October 20, 2000. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

The "Matrix" Virus/Worm is on the loose and in wide distribution, according to Symantec AntiVirus Research Center and McAfee's AVERT system.

This new strain incorporates a "file infector" scheme that can quickly corrupt hundreds or thousands of program files on your computer and can quickly spread across a network.

It will typically be spread through an attached file in an e-mail message. The known attachments are as follows:

ALANIS_Screen_Saver.SCR

ANTI_CIH.EXE

AVP_Updates.EXE

BILL_GATES_PIECE.JPG.pif

BLINK_182.MP3.pif

' FEITICEIRA_NUA.JPG.pif

FREE_xxx_sites.TXT.pif

Geocities_Free_sites.TXT.pif

HANSON.SCR

I_am_sorry.DOC.pif

I_wanna_see_YOU.TXT.pif

INTERNET_SECURITY_FORUM.DOC.pif

IS_LINUX_GOOD_ENOUGH!.TXT.pif

JIMI_HMNDRIX.MP3.pif

LOVE_LETTER_FOR_YOU.TXT.pif

MATRiX_2_is_OUT.SCR

MATRiX_Screen_Saver.SCR

Me_nude.AVI.pif

METALLICA_SONG.MP3.pif

NEW_NAPSTER_site.TXT.pif

NEW_playboy_Screen_saver.SCR

Protect_your_credit.HTML.pif

QI_TEST.EXE

READER_DIGEST_LETTER.TXT.pif

SEICHO-NO-IE.EXE

Sorry_about_yesterday.DOC.pif

TIAZINHA.JPG.pif

WIN_$100_NOW.DOC.pif

YOU_are_FAT!.TXT.pif

zipped_files.EXE

For those files with .pif extensions, the .pif extension might not be visible in your mail program.

If you see any messages with the above attachement, delete them immediately.

Both Norton Anti-Virus and McAfee's VirusScan have updated their programs to fight this strain, so be sure to download the latest updates for these programs.

Author

Posted by Ken of Data Doctors on October 20, 2000