W32/ExploreZip Virus

6/11/98.....

    We want you to be aware of the new and extremely destructive virus that hit the web yesterday called W32/ExploreZip.

WHAT IT IS:

The "Worm" virus is being distributed as an attachment via email. If you receive an email that looks similar to this text below - delete it immediately!

Hi (last name of recipient), !
I received your email and I shall send you a reply ASAP.
Till then, take a look at the attached zipped docs.
Sincerely
(last name of sender)

    A file named "zipped_files.exe" will be attached to the message - this is the virus! DO NOT OPEN OR RUN THIS FILE!! Delete the email immediately. If the attachment is opened, the virus will become active, and will then perform two functions. First, the virus attempts to create a new email message similar to the message above, and will send itself to the people listed in your email address book. Secondly, users who run this attachment will then be presented with this fake
error message: "Cannot open file: it does not appear to be a valid archive. If this file is part of a ZIP format backup set, insert the last disk of the backup set and try again. Please press F1 for help."
The activated virus then searches your local hard drive for the following file types, and when found will delete them: .c, .cpp, .asm, doc, .xls, .ppt


    WHAT TO DO:

    You can protect yourself by first installing Norton AntiVirus 5.0 and then downloading the FREE Worm.ExploreZip update from Symantec.You can also download a free trial of Norton's Antivirus from http://www.download.com