Computer Associates first to warn of new "Afeto" virus

Computer Associates International, Inc. (CA) has advised eBusinesses of "W97M/Afeto", a new virus threat. Afeto spreads via email, changing its appearance to avoid suspicion, as it sends itself from machine to machine.

Afeto violates user ` s privacy by searching for .JPEG (a common picture format) files on the user ` s machine and sending the first one found to other computers, embedding the picture in a Word document. The text of the Word document reads "Para voces com afeto", a Portuguese phrase meaning "For voices with affection."

Like many viruses, such as the "LOVEBUG", Afeto spreads by sending itself to other users via email. It is unique, however, in that it scans previously sent emails rather than the email address book, and resends those emails after first infecting them with its payload. The subject lines of the email, and the name of the infected attachment inserted in the email, are changed every time it is sent.

"This Afeto virus is anything but affectionate," said Ian Hameroff, CA Business Manager for Antivirus Solutions. "This virus is disturbing in that it desecrates the privacy of all computer users - an issue that strikes at the heart of consumer confidence and eBusiness integrity." CA`s global threat response teams are currently analysing Afeto, and will release a new signature for the multi award winning InoculateIT antivirus solution as soon as possible.

Additional information is available at http://www.ca.com/virusinfo/encyclopedia/

Complete, proactive protection from the latest viruses and worms can be downloaded free from CA at antivirus.ca.com. For information about the latest threats visit www.ca.com/virusinfo.