Path: chuka.playstation.co.uk!scea!peter_alau@playstation.sony.com From: matth@bellatlantic.net (Matthew Hulett) Newsgroups: scea.yaroze.freetalk Subject: A new type of security threat? Date: Thu, 29 Oct 1998 09:57:03 GMT Organization: SCEA News Server Lines: 40 Message-ID: <36383b30.79566@news.scea.sony.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: client-119-65.bellatlantic.net X-Newsreader: Forte Free Agent 1.11/32.235 I just came across this in cyberspace. I thought I would ask the computer sauvy members in this group for any elaboration of this new threat to our computers, and would provide a heads-up. Is this true? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >Be warned. A new rash of BACK ORIFICE-type programs are >circulating. >For those who do not know, Back Orifice and it's kin are NOT viruses, they >are remote administration tools... somewhat like PC ANYWHERE. It allows a >remote user to actually control your machine. They will have access to >your entire hard disk(s), They can send or take files, grab your >passwords, erase or add whatever they wish to your drives and, generally, >copy or destroy any sort of files on your disk. >I just got hit with it. I do a lot of ftping & ircing and it seems someone >uploaded it to me. Luckily, AVP virus software alerted me to it. >In my case it was disgused as OCE.EXE in my Windows/SYSTEM dir. If you >have this file, get rid of it. Also, for security reasons, you should >consider that your system has been raped and all your info is in the hands >of others. >The OCE.EXE varient is a less dangerous version that seems to mostly clog >your inet connection. Without your knowledge, it will attempt to use your >dial-up connection in Win95/98 to access a remote site. I use a cable >modem and not dial-up so it did nothing to me. >For some more info, check out: >http://www.ozemail.com.au/~dwarren/backorifice/questandansw.html >Good luck! Be safe. Be smart. Be well. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Any feedback appreciated. -Matt