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Submitted by: Bill Hickey
NCVA List Master
NRT-0289 Worm Deletes MP3 Files From Infected Machines:
Virus writers have unleashed a worm that attempts to delete MP3 files from infected machines. The "Deletemusic worm" - described on the Symantec Web site - spreads via removable devices. As soon as an infected device is accessed, the worm copies itself onto all drives, including removable devices, and executes whenever Windows is started up on compromised PCs. The worm has so far only caused a small number of infections but the consequences are said to be serious for Windows users. "With so many people relying on their PCs to store their digital music, rather than physical CDs, a worm capable of deleting an entire MP3 collection could leave someone thousands of [dollars] out of pocket," said a Symantec researcher. "We would recommend all users with MP3 files on their PCs to remain cautious about the removable media devices they are using in their machines."
Previous examples of malware capable of zapping MP3 files includes the Klex-F worm, which was widespread in 2002 and overwrite MP3 files (and other file types) on certain days of the month. The Scrambler worm was programmed to scramble MP3 files to sound like a scratched record, and the Mylife-G worm overwrote MP3 files with the words "my lIfE". None of these made any attempt to differentiate between legitimate and illegitimately obtained music files.
(www.theregister.co.uk 31JUL07)