Windows XP users Phelled by new Trojan [Symantec bulletin, SP2 no protection, will see 2 IE popups]

The Register ^ | Dec 30, 2004 | Ashlee Vance

[Mike Fieschko]

A new Trojan horse - named Phel - that punishes users of Microsoft Windows XP operating system is in the wild.

Security software firm Symantec has issued a bulletin warning Windows XP users to be on the look out for the program, which is distributed as an .html file. The malicious code can attack systems running XP Service Pack 2. The vuln was first found in October, and Microsoft is busy trying to catch up to it.

"Microsoft is taking this vulnerability very seriously, and an update to correct the vulnerability is currently in development," the company told ComputerWorld. "We will release the security update when the development and testing process is complete, and the update is found to effectively correct the vulnerability."

Symantec warns that users will see two Internet Explorer windows pop up when an .html file with Trojan.Phel.A is opened. If the code does its worst, the Trojan will automatically be executed every time a Windows user turns on his machine.

More information from Symantec is available here. ®

[Mike Fieschko]

Limited to Internet Exploder? The Symantec alert doesn't mention Firefox or Mozilla

[atruelady]

This affected my computer. I could run simple system maintenance programs. It is now fixed.

[MinstrelBoy]

Punishes users. No, that Microsoft itself.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Ping

[Rodney King]

In advance of the "get a Mac" posts, I will pre-emptively state: I'd buy a Mac, but I'm not gay.

[Paradox]

Man, this is sucking real bad. The other day, one of my computers got hit by a virus that affected the BIOS of the motherboard, I could NOT get the darn thing to boot, except perhaps 1 out of 20 times. Luckily I was able to flash the bios with a new version and saved that machine, but what a pain in the a$h...

[Cicero]

Not a problem if Norton has the latest updates.

I got a couple of infected emails today, which Norton quarentined, but they were Sober and Beagle viruses.

Not all, but nearly all of these security problems are dealt with if you just keep your software updated.

[Recovering Hermit]

Trojan.Phel.A is in my Symantec Threats list as of 12/29.

I never really opened up the "Detectable Threats List" in Symantec AV until today.

There are 68,605 different viruses, trojans, etc. in the list.

[MissouriConservative]

Haven't used IE in a long time....FireFox user. Never had a pop up since I dropped IE. When I get the time, I'm dropping Windows and will go with a Linux based OS or may just (if the wife allows me to crack the budget) by a new iBook or a powerbook....been wanting to go Mac for some time now.

They say once you go Mac you won't go back.

[mlbford2]

`` I'd buy a Mac, but I'm not gay.``

You don't need to be gay. Just really feminine. Or manly, but with panties on.

[Clara Lou]

I split my time between Macs [OS-X] and PCs. My next home computer will be a PC-- again.

[skip_intro]

They say once you go Mac you won't go back.

That's because you will have joined the Cult of *STEVE*.

Just like Scientology, except it's more expensive.

[sneakers]

bump!

[Izzy Dunne]

I'd buy a Mac, but I'm not gay.

I don't know about your sexual orientation, but your stupidity is obvious.

[Clara Lou]

Just really feminine.
I take exception to that!

[Constitution Day]

LOL!!

[Laura Earl]

shiite!

[konaice]

No effect on Mozilla at all.

The Department of Homeland Security recommends
not using Internet Explorer.

Even the most ardent windows biggots owe it to the
rest of the country NOT TO USE MSIE. Its not a matter
of choice anymore, its a matter of internet security.

[Graybeard58]

Or manly, but with panties on.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[Mike Fieschko]

When I get the time, I'm dropping Windows and will go with a Linux based OS
If you can boot off your cdrom drive, you can test drive Linux:

Knoppix is a Live Linux CD based on Debian GNU/Linux that boots and runs completely from cd. Or official Knoppix site. Latest is v3.7.