According to NetXactics, local Sophos distributor, Sophos virus researchers are warning users to be wary of a virulent new e-mail-aware worm, called Netsky.D (aka W32/Netsky.D), which is currently spreading via e-mail disguised as a PIF file. Sophos has so far received many reports of this worm spreading in the wild, clogging up e-mail boxes around the world.
"Netsky.D is the sixth major worm we`ve seen since Friday, but it is by far the worst. The early signs point towards this becoming one of the most prevalent worms of the year," said Brett Myroff, CEO of NetXactics.
"Netsky.D has been successful because - although users are growing wise to the potential dangers of receiving attachments with EXE, SCR and VBS file endings - they may not realise that PIF files are equally capable of being malicious."
Sophos is also warning users of five new variants of the Bagle worm, which were released over the weekend.
"It`s March madness," continued Myroff. "To avoid being hit by one of these prevalent worms, users should be wary of any unsolicited e-mail which arrives in their inbox. Businesses can add an extra layer of protection by proactively filtering out viruses at the gateway."
The Netsky.D worm arrives in an e-mail using a variety of subject names (including Re: Approved, Re: Details, Re: Document, Re: Your letter, Re: Your picture) and attached file names (including all_document.pif, application.pif, document.pif, your_letter.pif, your_product.pif).
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NetXactics is a South African-based company, focused on the provision of security solutions. It is the sole distributor in Sub-Saharan Africa for UK-based Sophos Plc, one of the leaders in the provision of anti-virus and anti-spam software for the corporate environment. For more information, visit NetXactics at www.netxactics.co.za.
Sophos
Sophos is one of the world`s largest specialist developers of anti-virus and anti-spam software. Headquartered in the UK, the company designs solutions specifically to protect businesses and organisations, including large corporations, banks and governments, from viruses and spam.
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