This is a summary of Computer Virus Incident Reports of May 2001 compiled by IPA:
Information-technology Promotion Agency (President: Shigeo Muraoka). 1515 (1236 in April) reports were submitted and the percentage of the actual infection was 16.5% (18% in April). The total number of reports from January to May was 8234 and it was about three times more than the number(2741) in the same period of last year. Users need much more attention. 4 kinds of new virus were reported such as VBS/Homepage(71),W32/Badtrans(20), Solaris/Sadmind(7) and VBS/Haptime(3).

Take three steps; introduction, application, renewal!!

We have received many inquires about virus incidents which was caused by not having Antivirus program or not using it properly. In order to do appropriate Antivirus measures, it is important not only to introduce Antivirus program but also to set up an object of an overhaul and to renew the definition file. You should take 3steps with Antivirus program for Antivirus measures.

1. Antivirus program is necessary and has to be introduced.
2. Antivirus program has to be settled properly and applied at all times.
3. The definition file in Antivirus program has to be renewed frequently.

Reference: Information about Antivirus program

• http//www.ipa.go.jp/security/antivirus/vacc-info.html (Japanese)

It is the most common way for the virus infection to be spread through the attachment files. Below there are some examples of major virus incidents that you have to be careful.

Figure-1: Hybris Virus (It is the most major virus from January to May 2001.2807 reports were submitted.)

PS,this is the case of using image of E-mail software under Japanese.

Figure-2: Homepage Virus (It is the most major virus in May 2001.71 reports weresubmitted.)

PS,this is the case of using image of E-mail software under Japanese.

"Erase the file called sulfnbk.exe! It is virus." It has been spreading. Many users do not realize it as a hoax mails so that they suffer from it. You have to make sure that whether it is reliable information with the WEB site of IPA or vendors. And also you need to use Antivirus program to make sure that whether the file is infected or not.

There are many cases that the information you send with trust actually cause trouble. To deal with hoax mails, you have to make sure not to forward uncertain informations.

Hoax mail; it is hoax information about anything such as virus that is made by someone to press people for forwarding a warning about it which is actually hoax and cause trouble. It is aimed at effecting chain mail.

• Reference: Information about hoax mail "sulfnbk.exe”
  http://www.ipa.go.jp/security/topics/alert130530.html (Japanese)

Information Service Group
Information-technology Promotion Agency

FAX: (03) 5978-7518
E-mail:
Virus Emergency Call: (03) 5978-7509
URL: http://www.ipa.go.jp/security/

• Computer Virus Incident Reports for May, 2001(full report)