bglover Posted January 9, 2004 Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 I caught 2 viruses this week on my PC. Both were the Sober virus, and both emanated from BBO users. The virus infects a user' address book and then generates emails to spread itself. Fortunately, I recognized both email addresses from which i received the bugs and informed both parties that I had gotten an infection from them. However, it is clear that there is an infection being spread current either through BBO itself or (more likely) some people who have gotten on a mailing list, most likely members of a club. Since it has already replicated itself it is likely to be sent to anyone who has been on that club's mailing list at any point. The Sober virus is nasty if you don't catch it in time. Already, one of the people had to reformat their hard drive to get rid of it. Symantec's web site has a free program to clean it off your computer if you already have it. If you don't, make sure your anti virus software is up to date as it is clearly spreading. I use Grisoft's free AVG software and it flagged both viruses (altho I had to scan out the second infection, it did kind of get through). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred Posted January 9, 2004 Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 I caught 2 viruses this week on my PC. Both were the Sober virus, and both emanated from BBO users. The virus infects a user' address book and then generates emails to spread itself. Fortunately, I recognized both email addresses from which i received the bugs and informed both parties that I had gotten an infection from them. However, it is clear that there is an infection being spread current either through BBO itself or (more likely) some people who have gotten on a mailing list, most likely members of a club. Since it has already replicated itself it is likely to be sent to anyone who has been on that club's mailing list at any point. The Sober virus is nasty if you don't catch it in time. Already, one of the people had to reformat their hard drive to get rid of it. Symantec's web site has a free program to clean it off your computer if you already have it. If you don't, make sure your anti virus software is up to date as it is clearly spreading. I use Grisoft's free AVG software and it flagged both viruses (altho I had to scan out the second infection, it did kind of get through). The process of using the BBO software for whateverpurpose does NOT increase your chances of gettinga virus. We are VERY careful about things like this(we have to be - if we were responsible for spreadinga virus to many 1000s of people it would be the endof the world as far as our business was concerned). Fred GitelmanBridge Base Inc.www.bridgebase.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bglover Posted January 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 I certainly am sure it doesn't directly come out of your software. That's why I said it was more likely coming from a club. (The reason I said this was that I used to belong to a few clubs and the two I received were both members of one of those clubs). Clearly, there is an infection on someone's mailing list tho. Since I wrote this morning I have received 2 more Sober virsuses (did not recognize the names however, but still suspect there is an address book of a BBO member out there generating it). I would be surprised, of course, if it came out of BBO's mail list. As a software developer and provider they must be extra careful and guard against this. I happen to know that one of the people who sent me the virus was not using anti virus software up until a week or so ago. Matter of fact I implored that person to download some. Obviously my plea fell on dear ears and the result was a reformatted hard disk-- something no one really wants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrothgar Posted January 9, 2004 Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 I happen to work at Symantec and have a more than passing familiarity with worms, viruses, and the like. A complete description of Sober is available at:http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcen...sober.c@mm.html However, the "important" thing to note is that Sober spreads via SMTP. Sober builds a Mail Transfer Agent on the infected system and uses this agent to transmit mail messages to addresses found within mailboxes on the infected system. Accordingly, Sober tends to spread based on a social networking model. In this case, an infected BBO member had sent or received an email from your address which lead your to be targetted. The connection to Bridge Base Online as an institution is coincidental at best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred Posted January 9, 2004 Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 I certainly am sure it doesn't directly come out of your software. That's why I said it was more likely coming from a club. (The reason I said this was that I used to belong to a few clubs and the two I received were both members of one of those clubs). Clearly, there is an infection on someone's mailing list tho. Since I wrote this morning I have received 2 more Sober virsuses (did not recognize the names however, but still suspect there is an address book of a BBO member out there generating it). I would be surprised, of course, if it came out of BBO's mail list. As a software developer and provider they must be extra careful and guard against this. I happen to know that one of the people who sent me the virus was not using anti virus software up until a week or so ago. Matter of fact I implored that person to download some. Obviously my plea fell on dear ears and the result was a reformatted hard disk-- something no one really wants. I did see your original statement that you thought itwas unlikely that BBO itself was responsible for the spread of the virus. I appreciate that, but thought itimportant to reassure our members that you werein fact correct. It is also worth mentioning that we do not maintaine-mail lists of our members and whatever "addressbooks" we have are not within our e-mail softwareitself (a slight inconvenience for us, but a good safetyplay against passing on a virus or worm to ourmembers and customers). Fred GitelmanBridge Base Inc.www.bridgebase.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erkson Posted January 10, 2004 Report Share Posted January 10, 2004 I certainly am sure it doesn't directly come out of your software. Does the TITLE of your message say that ?I have been badly surprised reading it. At least it should have been : "Viruses emanating from BBO users". Erkson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pirate22 Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Can confirm i have never recieved a virus via BBO---but beware of poker clubsregards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billw55 Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Agree that the thread title is very misleading, and possibly defamatory. It should be changed. edit: apparently fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.