New email worm attacks Outlook

Antivirus experts have issued warnings of a new email worm that makes use of the Microsoft Outlook mail client.

Troj_Apost.A is an email-aware worm rather than a Trojan horse, as its name suggests. The malicious email arrives with the subject line "As per your request!" with the message, "Please find attached file for your review. I look forward to hear from you again very soon. Thank you."

When the attached file entitled "Readme.exe" is executed, it will try to copy itself to the floppy drive. It will then self-propagate by emailing itself to all addresses listed in the infected user's address book.

"We've had several reports of Apost over the last few days, but to be honest it's a lot smaller than Magistr or SirCam," said Graham Cluely, senior technology consultant at anti-virus company Sophos. "After six months we are still getting reports of Magistr, and SirCam is even bigger although it has not been around for as long," he added.

Apost was first captured on Monday, and since then the Internet security firm MessageLabs claims to have stopped 54 cases. Experts at antivirus company Trend Micro have categorised the worm as a medium risk, but Cluley asserts that "Apost isn't anything in particular to get worried about despite what other vendors are saying."

Internet security experts are warning computer users to update their antivirus software, and to be aware of any unsolicited attachments.

See the Viruses and Hacking News Section for the latest headlines.

Have your say instantly, and see what others have said. Click on the TalkBack button and go to the Security forum.

Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom. And read other letters.