Melissa Crook Captured! Click here for full story
The purpose of this page is to help you stop the Melissa virus
before it infects your system
Last Updated: Monday, May 31, 1999 10:56:22 AM EST (USA) -
Updated Daily
What's Melissa?
Melissa is actually a
descendent of the first Melissa virus (They go by the same
name though) - they are very similar in characteristics
however the new Melissa has officially become the most
disastrous in internet history - such that CERT has issued a
Virus Alert for the entire Internet! Here's what the virus
does and how it works. The virus gets transmitted VIA E-Mail
or Newsgroups. I'll explain the Newsgroups version first
since it is easier to explain. Basically a file is attached
to a posting and instructs the user to open a file and
disregard all macro virus warnings, if you read further in
this page, you will learn you should not do that no matter
what! When the file is opened with the virus macro in it, it
immediately effects your system and takes action. Unlike
other viruses, Melissa does not in much way damage the user's
computer. However what it does is e-mail the first 50
addresses in your electronic address book (where you put all
your e-mail addresses for people you frequently contact)
without your knowledge and all the mails contain the virus.
Now let's talk about the e-mail part of the virus. There are
many variants of this virus but in general, if you open the
e-mail your computer may be immediately infected - or you may
open the attached file and it infects your system. Contrary
to common knowledge, this virus does not target only
Microsoft Outlook Express which is Bundled with Microsoft
Internet Explorer 4.0 and later. What I mean by infected is
that thing where it e-mails people on your address book. Your
ISP may pull your account or you may be tried under
anti-spamming laws due to getting infected, hence you should
pay close attention to this page.
Precautions to take at all times:
- Do not open any files you did not request
- If you get a message with a blank subject, don't open it
- If you get a message with the subject This is an important message
from.. Do not open it, it is usually a
virus or junk e-mail (SPAM)
- Never write a message to
anyone with a blank subject line
- Never write a message with
the subject This
is an important message from.. People tend to discard it
- Never download a file from
an unreliable source (We prefer you use http://www.hotfiles.com since they do a virus check on
most of the programs they offer)
- If you open something and you get macro virus warnings,
COMPLY WITH THE WARNINGS AND SELECT NOT
TO RUN THE MACRO AT ALL COSTS!!!
Why you should follow the instructions on your page
- You may lose your Internet account thanks to this virus
- You may be sued or put into jail under anti-spamming laws
thanks to this virus
Notices:
- Follow the below advice at
your own risk - We disclaim any and all warranties
implied or written
- It is suggested you Print this page for
future reference by going to File and
then to Print in your web browser
- Even if you have gotten the Melissa virus,
still take preventative measures - it may strike again!
Known Bugs as a result
of following the below advice
- If anyone sends a
non-viral message containing the subject This
is an important message from, you may not get that message.
What you came here
for...
Below are
instructions on how to stop the virus from infecting your system.
The below only automate the getting rid of the virus before it
infects your computer - if you read all of the above information
and there are no instructions below for your e-mail client, Don't
worry - as long as you follow the above instructions, you'll be
fine
Sorry, there are
currently no instructions available for AOL or CompuServe Users
Temporarily for Outlook
Express 4 and 5.0, follow the instructions for MS Internet Mail
Internet Mail / Internet Explorer
If you don't know what version of Internet Explorer you
have or if you are not sure what browser you're currently using,
double-click on the internet
icon on your desktop and follow these directions:
- Go to the toolbar button labeled mail
and select Read Mail
to launch Internet Mail
- Go to the Mail menu
and select Inbox Assistant
- In the window that popped up, click the Add button
- Skip down to Subject
and type This is an important
message from
- Under Perform Action,
next to Move To
select Deleted Items
from the drop-down box
Netscape Mail / Netscape
Navigator
To get to Netscape Mail from Netscape Navigator, click
the icon in the bottom right part of the Netscape window that
looks like an envelope
- Go to the Edit
menu and select Message
Filters
- Click New
- Under Filter Name
type anything you want - but we recommend Anti-Melissa by OverTech.com
- Make sure the Match with any of the following radio button is selected
- Under the drop down box, select Subject
- Under of
the message drop down
box, select begins with
- In the text box, type This is an important message from .
- Under then drop down box, select Delete
- Under Description type Possible
virus enclosed
- Click OK
- Click OK
Pronto Mail and Pronto Pro
- Go to the Tools
Menu and Select Rules
- Select the Incoming
Radio button on the top of the new window
- Click the Add button
- Under Description
type anything you want - but we recommend Anti-Melissa by OverTech.com
- Under Condition,
click the Add
button
- Under Field, select
Subject
- In the Text box,
type This is an important
message from
- Make sure the radio button Contains is selected and Enabled is checked and Case Sensitive IS NOT checked
- Click OK
- Check off Delete and you may want to send a reply message
- if you want to send a reply message check off reply and type the message that will be sent
to the user that sent you the e-mail, after you're done
with the reply message, click OK
- Click OK
- Click OK
Pegasus Mail
- Go to Tools > Mail Filtering
rules > Edit new Mail Filtering Rules > Rules
Applied when folder is opened
- Click on Add Rule
on the toolbar in the new window
- Under Type of Rule,
select Standard Header Match
- Make sure none of the checkboxes on the window are
checked
- Under This rule triggers when
the following text, type This is an important message from
- Under Appears in any of the
following fields of the message, check off Subject
- Next to action to take,
select Delete
- Click OK
- Click Save
- Click Cancel