Antivirus company Trend Micro Inc. today warned users to keep their eyes peeled for a worm that spreads quickly and is known as ‘Friends Greeting’ or worm_friendgrt.B.
The worm sends out an e-mail inviting the recipient to access an online greetings card. When you click on the link provided it asks you to download software so that you can view the card.
But while downloading the software, the worm requests permission to send itself to all the other addresses in your Outlook contacts list. Unwary users who simply click on the ‘I agree’ option will unwittingly give the application the right to e-mail itself to all their contacts.
“People must continue to be cautious of opening attachments and starting unknown applications,” said Raimund Genes, president of Trend Micro’s European operations. “This is especially important because this is a normal application which even warns you that it will send out e-mails to all contacts within the Outlook address book.”
“It’s very important to read all onscreen messages and license agreements because this is already the second occurence of such an application,” Genes added.
The e-mail reads:
Subject: you have an E-Card from
Message Body: Greetings! has sent you an E-Card — a virtual postcard from FriendGreetings.com. You can pick up your E-Card at the FriendGreetings.com by clicking on the link below.
To uninstall the virus, Trend Micro advises users to:
– Click ‘Start’ and select ‘Settings’ and then ‘Control Panel.’
– Under the ‘Control Panel’ window, click the icon ‘Add/Remove Programs.’
– In the list of applications, select ‘FRIEND GREETINGS’ then click the ‘Add/Remove’ or ‘Change/Remove’ button.
– Restart your PC.