New Year rings in more worms
Jitux has begun to spread through MSN Messenger, while Quis wreaks Christmas-themed mayhem on Windows PCs
Antivirus experts are warning of a destructive, Christmas-themed email worm and a virus that spreads via MSN Messenger, the popular instant-messaging application.
The Jitux.A worm is not destructive but has already begun to spread via MSN Messenger, according to Panda Software. When executed, the file becomes resident in memory and sends messages to other MSN Messenger users every five minutes, prompting them to download the worm's code, contained in a file called jituxramon.exe.
The worm started to spread more rapidly on Friday, affecting mainly Portugal, Spain and Mexico, said Panda Software. It affects Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP. Users can remove the worm simply by scanning their PCs with antivirus software that has up-to-date virus definitions, from Panda, Symantec, McAfee or others.
