Virus Alert: W95/MTX.gen@M
The MTX virus arrives in the typical way, as an e-mail attachment. The worm spreads in a similar fashion to many other viruses, raiding the infected computer for e-mail addresses, and sending copies of itself to every address it finds there. The bug's arrival is deceptive - subject line, attachment name, and even attachment type are randomly chosen. Some examples are: I_am_sorry_doc.pif or zipped_files.exe.
Once infected, the virus keeps the user from going to Antivirus websites. The bug doesn't launch its payload on an infected user unless it discovers the victim doesn't have any antivirus software on their machine. Those who don't are infected, and then when they try to get software to help, they can't. Users need to go to a website that the virus has not blocked - for example OIT's OSU SLS. Symantec's Norton Utilities can also download software updates and fixes from Tucows.com, which is not blocked by the MTX virus.
Current Record: 428
Create Date: 11-29-2000
Last Reviewed: 06-26-2007
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