NEWS & EVENTS
"First Business" Interview: Lee Neubecker on MiMail.C Virus
CHICAGO: November 7,
2003 - Before the news on one computer virus subsides, it is time
for yet another one. First Business, a daily program on WCIU-TV that
provides highlights on up-to-date business and finance news, interviews
Lee Neubecker, President and CEO of Forensicon, a computer forensics and
electronic discovery firm
based in Chicago, on the spread of a new virus, the Mimail.C. It is a
worm that spreads via email using addresses harvested from the
computer's hard drive. Its trademark is that it disguises itself as nude
or sexy photographs sent as an e-mail
attachment to unsuspecting recipients with the subject titled, "Re[2]:
our private photos."
"Earlier variant of it [MiMail] surfaced several months back in August when someone thought their network administrator was emailing them some instructions to open. They clicked on the zip file, and the computer became infected . . ." explains Neubecker. He mentions that this virus manages to spread easily because it travels in the form of a zip file rather than an executable. "Most mail networks won't allow executables to be opened by the receiver. Zip files slip through because it's a popular method for compressing data to email."
There are several ways businesses can safeguard their employees' computers against this MiMail virus variant. "Computer network administration should be downloading virus patches and updates to protect the computer," suggests Neubecker. "I think, certainly, communicating to employees that you shouldn't open up attachments unless you've had a conversation with someone and you know they're really sending you something is a good, practical measure."
About Forensicon:
Specializing in trade secrets, employment litigation, and internal investigations, Forensicon is a computer forensics firm that provides expertise to the top law firms in the U.S. as well as corporations large and small. Forensicon offers nationwide computer forensics services for plaintiff, defense, as well as special master neutral third party representation. The firm has represented numerous Fortune 500 companies and other large privately held corporations wanting to defend against or prosecute claims of intellectual property theft. For more information, contact Forensicon at 888.427.5667, email us as contact@forensicon.com or visit our web site at: http://www.forensicon.com/
