"SoBig.F" virus is new threat

SoBig.F computer virus spreads by e-mail and is already making its presence felt among New Zealand's computer users

20 August 2003
The latest computer virus is said to be one of the most active of the year.

SoBig.F spreads by e-mail and is already making its presence felt among New Zealand's computer users.

The Radio Network's IT department says it has recorded 500 hits by the virus just today.

Anti-virus experts Symantec have upgraded the threat from the virus to a Category 3 from a Category 2 threat because of the large number of reports it has received from customers.

The virus comes in an e-mail with a spoof address, and with the words 'see attached file for details'.

When unwary users double-click on the attached file, their computer becomes infected and the cycle starts again as the virus e-mails itself to all the contacts it can find in the new computer.

However, Symantec says the worm is easy to remove and the threat is easy to contain, given the correct anti-virus software.

© 2009 NZCity, IRN