ET> McAfee confirmed there have a virus for Linux Operating System. This
 ET> is the first computer virus able to infect the Linux OS.
 PW> Got any details???
       Yep.
McAfee Discovers First Linux Virus
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Ships New Version of VirusScan to Detect and Remove Bliss Virus
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Feb. 6, 1997
McAfee Associates Inc , the world's leading vendor of anti-virus
software, today announced that its virus researchers have
discovered the first computer virus capable of infecting the Linux
operating system.
The Linux operating system is a publicly supported freeware variant
of the Unix operating system that runs on Intel-based personal
computers.
The virus, which is called Bliss, is significant because many in
the Unix industry have previously believed that viruses were not a
concern to Unix operating system users. Unix operating systems are
typically difficult to infect with viruses since a virus writer must
have administrative privileges to infect a given Unix system. McAfee
researchers believe that one reason this virus has begun to spread
is because Linux users who are playing computer games over the
Internet, such as DOOM, must play the game in the Linux's
administrator mode, which is called "root."
"Bliss is a destructive virus which overwrites Linux executables
with its own code," said Jimmy Kuo, McAfee's director of anti-virus
research. "Although several incidents of Bliss infection have
already been reported, the virus is not currently widespread. We
encourage concerned Linux users to download a free working
evaluation copy of our VirusScan for LINUX, which can be used to
detect the virus."
The History of Bliss
Very little is known about the history of the Bliss virus. McAfee
discovered the Bliss virus two days ago, and posted a solution
Wednesday evening on its web site. The virus is believed to have
been created as a research project several months ago by an
anonymous programmer, and until recently was not an "in-the-wild"
threat. Recently, reports of the virus have begun to surface within
Linux Internet news groups.
How Bliss Works
Bliss infects Linux executable files. Each time Bliss is executed,
it overwrites two or more additional files. Because the virus makes
its presence known by overwriting and destroying files each time it
executes, users are immediately alerted to its presence. Bliss
overwrites the first 17,892 bytes of each affected file with its
own code. According to McAfee anti-virus researchers, all files
infected by Bliss are irrecoverable.
Although the virus does not operate under traditional operating
systems such as DOS, Windows, Windows 95, Windows NT, NetWare and
the Macintosh, files created in these aforementioned operating
system formats and stored on Linux file servers are vulnerable to
corruption by Bliss.
McAfee Ships World's First Bliss Virus Scanner
As a public service, McAfee has developed a special update of its
VirusScan for LINUX software which provides an antidote for the
virus. The free working evaluation version of the product can be
downloaded from McAfee's web site at www.mcafee.com . McAfee has
also provided the virus sample to other anti-virus vendors, so that
they too can develop solutions to protect their customers.
McAfee World's Leading Vendor of Anti-Virus Solutions
According to IDC, McAfee is the leading vendor of anti-virus
software, with a worldwide unit market share of 68% for standalone
DOS and Windows PC desktops. As the world's leading vendor of
anti-virus software, McAfee is considered the computer industry's
Center for Disease Control. McAfee anti-virus products are currently
used and trusted by over 20 million computer users worldwide. By
having more users than any other anti-virus software vendor, McAfee
is often the first to discover emerging virus threats such as the
Bliss virus.
With nearly 1,000 suspect virus infections submitted to McAfee
anti-virus researchers each month, the company typically discovers
between 100 and 200 new viruses. The company leverages its unique
presence on the Internet to release monthly updates to customers.
McAfee provides the industry's most comprehensive line of
anti-virus software solutions designed to protect against computer
viruses on all major desktop and network computing platforms. The
products support DOS, Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Windows NT, NetWare,
Unix, Linux, OS/2, Lotus Notes, the Internet, and Macintosh.
McAfee's flagship anti-virus product for desktop computers is
VirusScan. Another McAfee product, WebScan, is an anti-virus scanner
for Web browsers and email, protects desktop computer users from
accidentally downloading virus-infected files from the Internet. For
further protection against Internet-borne viruses, McAfee sells
WebShield, an anti-virus solution for Internet gateways and
firewalls. McAfee's new GroupScan and GroupShield provide native
virus protection for Lotus Notes.
Founded in 1989, McAfee is a leading worldwide vendor of Network
Security and Management products for enterprise networks. The
Company is also a leader in Internet and Web-based electronic
software distribution. McAfee is headquartered in Santa Clara,
California and can be reached by phone at (408) 988-3832 or by fax
at (408) 970-9727. McAfee's Web address is http://www.mcafee.com .
CONTACT:  McAfee
Jimmy Kuo, 408/980-3608
(Director of Anti-Virus Research)
or
Dovetail Public Relations
Mark Coker/Jim Azevedo, 408/395-3600
-The Visionary
visionary@brazerko.com
visionary@aura.title14.com
Big Brother is watching you.
You are watching Big Brother.
You are Big Brother... watching...
... Today is canceled due to lack of interest!
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