virus alert

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From:"Slap, Steven" <SSlap@ebsciences.com>
To:HistoNet <histonet@Pathology.swmed.edu>
Reply-To:
Date:Fri, 11 Jun 1999 09:49:34 -0400
Content-Type:text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi HistoNetters!

These two new viruses are very real.  Please read these instructions
carefully to avoid infection.  Note that, as usual, they are transmitted
through infected attachments to e-mail messages, not through e-mail
messages themselves.

************************************************************* Warning!
PrettyPark & Worm:
Two New Viruses for
Microsoft Word and Outlook users

Two new Microsoft Word 97 and Microsoft 2000 viruses, named PrettyPark
and Worm, were discovered over this past weekend and are said to be
spreading widely on the Internet.
These viruses come as files attached to e-mail and are currently
circulating the Internet with the file names "PrettyPark.EXE" and
"zipped_files.exe."
The e-mail containing one of these viruses may look similar to the
sample e-mail provided below, or it may have no subject line at all. You
can become infected with these viruses by downloading and opening an
infected Microsoft Word document attached to an e-mail. You can also
become infected by downloading an infected file inadvertently sent to
you by an infected friend or colleague. Once the downloaded file is
opened, an error message may be displayed and the virus will spread to
Microsoft Word files created or edited on the infected computer. These
viruses will also delete files on your computer.
Note! This infected e-mail may come from, or look like it came from
someone you know! Be alert for short e-mails that ask you to download an
attached file.  And always be cautious in downloading files from people
or sources you do not know.
Once your computer is infected, it will spread the viruses in one of two
ways. If you also use Microsoft Outlook, the viruses will be
automatically e-mailed as an attached file to the people in your Outlook
address book.  Those people will receive an e-mail like the one provided
below. Second, you will inadvertently infect others if you send them
infected Microsoft Word files attached to an e-mail message. Once
infected, the viruses will make changes to your Microsoft Word settings
that make it easier for it to spread itself.
If you think you may have downloaded these viruses, please go to one of
the sites listed below for instructions on how to remove them.
There are no known effects to the AOL software at this time.
** Begin sample e-mail message **
  Subj:	<no subject>
  Date:	6/10/99 4:44:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time

File:  zipped_files.exe (210,432 bytes)
Hi!
I received your email and I shall send you a reply ASAP.
Till then, take a look at the attached zipped docs.
bye
** End sample e-mail message **
How to protect yourself from the these viruses:
*	Install the latest versions anti-virus software on your computer
as soon as possible.  These viruses are very new and you should update
your anti-virus software as soon as possible.
*	If you already have anti-virus software, make sure it is up to
date. Most anti-virus companies have posted updates on their Web sites
that will combat the PrettyPark and Worm viruses. Some of those sites
are listed below.
*	If you use Microsoft Word, there are
<A HREF="aol://4344:2452.macro.26156796.607189184">steps you can
take</A> to protect yourself by turning on macro virus detection in your
Microsoft Word application.
For more information on the PrettyPark and Worm viruses, how to protect
your computer and how to remove it from your computer, visit these
sites:
<A
HREF="http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/prettypark.worm.html
<http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/prettypark.worm.html> ">Symantec
AntiVirus Research Center: PrettyPark.Worm
</A>
<A
HREF="http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/worm.explore.zip.html
<http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/worm.explore.zip.html> ">Symante
c
AntiVirus Research Center: Worm.ExploreZip
</A>
<A HREF="aol://4344:1207.ticker6.9447271.611422365">CNET News.com
Update</A>

There are two easy steps that you can take to protect your Microsoft
Word software from the Melissa Virus and others like it. We recommend
that you print the directions provided below and use them as a
step-by-step guide to protecting your Microsoft Word software from macro
viruses.
Step 1: Add a Password to the Normal.dot File
The Normal.dot file is the basic template that Microsoft Word opens when
you select New from the File menu or click on the New icon. When this
file is infected with a macro virus, every document that you create with
the normal template becomes infected. To keep this template virus-free,
protect it with a password so that only you can make changes to it.
To Password Protect the Normal.dot File:
1. Start the Microsoft Word software.
2. From the Tools menu, select Macro, then Visual Basic Editor.
3. In the window labeled Project, click on Normal.
4. From the Tools menu, select Normal Properties, then click on the
Protection tab.
5. Check the Lock Project for Viewing check box and type in a password
twice.
6. Click OK.
7. From the File menu, select Close and Return to Microsoft Word.  8.
Exit the Microsoft Word software. The next time you start Microsoft
Word, the normal.dot template will be protected.
Step 2: Set the Appropriate Macro Options in Microsoft Word
A macro is a line of commands that are created to automate some task.
For example, you can create a macro that searches and replaces words and
phrases throughout a document as you create it. Most Microsoft Word
documents don't contain macros. Microsoft Word has preferences that you
can set to alert you when a document that you are opening contains a
macro or when the Normal.dot file is being changed.
To Set Macro Options:
1. Start the Microsoft Word software.
2. From the Tools menu, select Options, then the General tab.
3. Click in the Macro Virus Protection check box.
4. Click in the Confirm conversions at open check box.
5. Click on the Save tab.
6. Click in the Prompt to save Normal template check box.
7. Click OK.
Now, whenever you open a document containing a macro, Microsoft Word
will alert you that the document contains a macro. Never open a file
that contains a macro unless you know what the macro is doing.
Best regards,
Steven Slap



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