For immediate release
May 27, 2000

F-Secure warns of "Resume virus"

Outbreak of Melissa.BG might die out during long weekend

Espoo, Finland, May 27, 2000 - F-Secure Corporation, one of the world's leading developers of anti-virus and encryption software, is warning computer users of a new e- mail worm, discovered very early in the morning Central European Time, Saturday, May 27, 2000. F-Secure Anti-Virus detects and disinfects this virus as "Melissa.BG" with latest updates, downloadable from http://www.F-Secure.com

This new e-mail worm spreads itself via e-mail attachments, disguising itself as a resume, directed towards sales or marketing directors of organizations.

"This is yet another attempt to use psychological means to trick people into opening an attachment," comments Mikko Hypponen, Manager of Anti-Virus research at F-Secure Corporation. "Almost every resume sent to a company would be opened sooner or later - why wouldn't this one?"

If the recipient opens the resume document, a macro virus within it will activate and e- mail the virus further via Microsoft Outlook to all addresses in all address books. After this, the virus will wait for the user to close to document. When the document is closed, the virus will try to delete documents and system files on local drives and shared network drives, typically making the machine unbootable.

The e-mail messages sent by this virus is as follows:

    From: name-of-the-infected-user
    To: random-name-from-address-book
    Subject: Resume - Janet Simons

    Director of Sales/Marketing,

    Attached is my resume with a list of
    references contained within. Please
    feel free to call or email me if you
    have any further questions regarding
    my experience. I am looking forward
    to hearing from you.

    Sincerely,

    Janet Simons.

    Attachment: Explorer.doc

"We don't expect this to become too widespread", says Hypponen. "Again, this virus is too obvious due to the damaging payload. Also, with Monday being a holiday in the USA and many European countries, the virus outbreak might die out before people actually get back to work and at their computers."

Allan Dyer, Chief Consultant of Yui Kee Computing commented, "We have not had Melissa.BG reported in Hong Kong yet and systems administrators will have the latest updates ready on Monday so we are unlikely to see significant damage here."

About Yui Kee

Yui Kee Computing Ltd. is a leading vendor of security solutions and security services in Hong Kong, and a Data Fellows Certified Anti-virus Centre. Yui Kee Computing was established in 1993 and services the security needs of all sizes of customers, from home users, through companies to major banks and government departments. Yui Kee Computing provides Anti-Virus and Data Security Consultancy, Training and Project Management Service, and is the top reseller of Anti-Virus Software with support.

For further information, please contact

Hong Kong:
Yui Kee Computing
Mr. Allan Dyer, Chief Consultant
Tel: +852 28708555
Fax: +852 28736164
e-mail: adyer@yuikee.com.hk
http://www.yuikee.com.hk/

USA:
F-Secure Inc.
Mr. Dan Takata, Manager, Training Division
675 N. First Street, 5th Floor
San Jose, CA 95112
Tel. +1 408 938 6700,
Fax +1 408 938 6701
e-mail: Dan.Takata@F-Secure.com

Finland:
F-Secure Corporation
Mr. Mikko Hypponen, Manager, Anti-Virus Research.
PL 24
FIN-02231 ESPOO
Tel +358 9 8599 0513
Fax +358 9 8599 0599
E-mail: Mikko.Hypponen@F-Secure.com
http://www.F-Secure.com/

Note to Editors: Further technical information and a screenshot of the virus is available at: http://www.F-Secure.com/virus-info/v-pics/