Information of Melissa/Mailissa virus

Angel Lin (ENANGEL who-is-at cityu.edu.hk)
Thu, 01 Apr 1999 14:49:21 +0800

>Date: Thu, 01 Apr 1999 12:25:27 +0800
>From: Computing Services Centre <CC who-is-at plink.cityu.edu.hk>
>Subject: Information of Melissa/Mailissa virus
>Sender: CC who-is-at plink.cityu.edu.hk
>To: ENSTAFF: ;
>X-PolyLink: CityU PolyLink Message id #06804010
>
>Dear colleagues,
>
>You may have heard in recently few days that a new computer virus, or worm,
>called "Melissa" or "Mailissa", had been widely spread over the Internet
>through electronic mail since last week.
>
>The "Melissa" virus is a Microsoft Word 97/2000 macro virus delivered as a
>Word document (named list.doc) attached to an e-mail. The message come with
>a subject header that starts "Important Message From," followed by a name.
>The name may be a familiar one to you, especially if it pulled your address
>from a computer of a friend or business associate. The message text says,
>"Here is the document you asked for ... don't show anyone else ;-)." When
>the attachment is opened the virus searches the Microsoft Outlook address
>book and delivers the same message and attachment (and the virus as well!)
>to the first 50 addresses.
>
>An Excel macro virus called "Papa" which uses similar method of spreading
>is also discovered in nearly the same time.
>
>For more detailed information please refer to the following web sites:
>
>http://www.avertlabs.com/public/datafiles/valerts/vinfo/melissa.asp
>http://www.datafellows.com/news/pr/eng/19990327.htm
>http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/melissa.html
>
>Although at present the virus seems only attack Microsoft Outlook users and
>so far there is no report from victims who use Eudora, for security CSC has
>updated our anti-virus software to the newest version so that those new
>viruses can be detected and cleaned. As a good practice for all e-mail
>users, don't open any e-mail attachment from UNKNOWN sources. Moreover,
>BEFORE opening any attached file from trustworthy sources, you should
>perform a virus scan to make sure that the attachment is virus-free. If the
>attached file is found to contain virus, you should DELETE it immediately
>and inform the sender as soon as possible.
>
>To activate the virus scan software on staff LAN, please select "Email -
>Eudora Pro submenu" under "Information Services Menu", then select the
>option "EudoraPro - Virus Scan in Attachment". For general virus scanning
>you can also select the option "Virus Scan Using McAfee Anti-Virus" from
>the "Network and Environment Settings" menu. The anti-virus software also
>provides virus-clean function for you to clean up the viruses if they are
>detected.
>
>Should you have any queries please contact our Help Desk at ext. 7658 or
>e-mail to cc who-is-at plink.cityu.edu.hk.
>
>Thank you for your attention.
>
>Computing Services Centre
>1 April 1999
>
>
***************************************************************
Angel Lin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of English
City University of Hong Kong
Tat Chee Ave., Kowloon
Hong Kong
Fax: (852) 2788-8894
Phone: (852) 2788-8122
E-Mail: enangel who-is-at cityu.edu.hk