EmergencyNet News "Instant
Updates," News Briefs, and Stories We're Following For:
07 February 2004
Breaking
News:
Police Confirm 21st Ohio highway shooting
COLUMBUS, OHIO: A bullet that pierced a van's windshield earlier
this week was linked Friday to a series of highway sniper attacks,
bringing the total number of shootings to 21. The shooting last Tuesday
expanded the sniper's target area: It happened about 15 miles south of
where most of the other attacks occurred, authorities
said.
Cars, school buses and homes have been shot since May on or near a
stretch of Interstate 270 south of Columbus. A car passenger was killed
in November. Ballistic tests on the latest bullet determined that it is
one of at least eight to come from the same gun used in the deadly
attack, authorities said.
Secret Police Arrest Ringleader of "Drugs-for-Guns" Plot
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA: The Colombian secret police said they had captured a
woman wanted in a $25 million drugs-for-weapons plot with outlawed
right-wing paramilitary forces, the Associated Press reported. The arrest of
Fany Cecilia Barrera in the northwestern city of Medellin on Wednesday was
the result of a joint investigation by Colombian authorities and the FBI,
according to a statement from Colombia's secret police, known as the DAS.
Barrera has been linked to a plot allegedly hatched in Houston to trade $25
million in cocaine and cash for a cache of weapons to be sent to the United
Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, or AUC, a 12,000-member militia group. It
is also believed that similar deals are often used by leftist rebels (FARC
and ELN) in order to obtain modern weapons from Europe, the Mid-East, and
Asia, ERRI analysts said.
Drugs Are Keeping War and Terrorism Going
AFGHANISTAN: Surging opium production in Afghanistan is contributing to
instability and terror campaigns in the war-ravaged country, the UN's most
senior anti- drugs official said. Antonio Maria Costa, the Executive
Director of the United Nation's Office on Drugs and Crime, said he had
"mounting evidence of drug money being used to finance criminal activities,
including terrorism".
Costa was speaking on Friday before addressing the International Conference
on Counter-Narcotics in Afghanistan, being held in Kabul on Sunday and
Monday.
He will also hold direct talks with leading Afghan officials.
But Costa hailed several government measures, including Afghanistan's new
anti-drug laws and the adoption of the National Drug Control Strategy, which
aims to completely eliminate opium production within 10 years.
06 Feb 2004 - 10:00 Moscow Time
Explosion in Moscow Subway, At Least 30 Dead, 100 Wounded
MOSCOW,
RUSSIA: An explosion, apparently caused by some sort of "terrorist
attack," tore through a packed underground train in Moscow in morning
rush-hour on Friday. Russian officials offered different accounts concerning
whether the blast had been caused by a suicide bomber. Deputy Moscow Mayor Valery Shantsev said that investigators had not found metal shrapnel, which
usually is added suicide bombers' explosive devices. He also said that the
bomb had likely been in a suitcase or rucksack on the floor of the subway
car, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported. The explosion happened at about
08:40 Moscow time.
The explosion occurred in the second car of a subway train after it pulled
away from the Avtozavodskaya station, heading northwest to Paveletskaya
station on the city's busy circle line. Police spokesman Kirill Mazurin said
in television interviews that after the explosion, the train traveled for
about 1,640 feet before coming to a stop. The line where the explosion
occurred is one of Moscow's deepest. About 30 people were killed, said
Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Chekalin. The emergencies ministry said
that more than 100 others were injured. About 30 people were killed, said
Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Chekalin. The emergencies ministry said
that more than 100 others were injured.
Mazurin said the bombing was being investigated as an "act of
terrorism" and the Interfax news agency, citing unnamed police sources,
reported that the attack was carried out by a female suicide bomber. Other
unconfirmed reports suggest that there may have been two people (a man and
woman) involved in the attack.
President Valdimir Putin blamed the blast on Chechen rebel leader
Aslan Maskhadov and called on for greater effort to fight terrorism.
"We do not need any indirect confirmation. We know for certain that
Maskhadov and his bandits are linked to this terrorism," the Russian
Interfax news agency quoted the president as saying. Investigation of
the entire matter continues at the time of this report...
2004/02/05 21:05 M 7.0 IRIAN JAYA, INDONESIA Z= 10km 3.59S 135.55E
This REVISED information is provided by the USGS National Earthquake
Information Center.
These parameters are preliminary and subject to revision.
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake IN IRIAN JAYA, INDONESIA has occurred
at:
3.59S 135.55E Depth 10km Thu Feb 5 21:05:01 2004 UTC
Time: Universal Time (UTC) Thu Feb 5 21:05:01 2004
Time Near Epicenter Fri Feb 6 06:05:01 2004
Location with respect to nearby cities:
90 km (55 miles) WNW of Enarotali, Irian Jaya, Indonesia (pop N/A)
3210 km (1990 miles) E of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia
Homeland Security Presidential Directive/HSPD-9
Subject: Defense of United States Agriculture and Food
January 30, 2004
Purpose
(1) This directive establishes a national policy to defend the
agriculture and food system against terrorist attacks, major disasters, and
other emergencies.
WASHINGTON,
DC: U.S. Senate Majority leader Bill Frist confirmed on Tuesday
that the deadly poison ricin had been found in the mailroom of his Senate
office, but said people exposed to it so far had shown no signs or symptoms
of the illness.
Capitol Police Chief Terrance Gainer said the FBI and the Joint Terrorism
Task Force launched a criminal investigation after the powder was found on
Monday in Frist's office in the Dirksen Senate Building, stirring memories
of a 2001 anthrax attack on the Capitol.
Gainer, in a news conference with Frist, said the powder was near an area
where letters had been opened but it was unclear if the ricin had been in an
envelope or a package, or whether it came through the mail at all. Intensive
investigation continues at this hour...
03 Feb 2004 - 13:00EST
Another "White Powder" Incident in Washington?
WASHINGTON, DC (EmergencyNet News) : In a pattern that increasingly looks
reminiscent of the spread of
anthrax letters
during 2001, another suspected "hazardous substance" has reportedly been
found this morning on the first floor of the Senate side of the Capital
building. Capital Hill Police, Fire and EMS personnel have reportedly
been dispatched to investigate another incident at this hour.
Few official details are currently available about this latest
situation, but it should be noted that literally thousands of
"white powder
hoaxes"
have taken place all over the United States and Canada in recent years.
None of the Capital incidents have thus far conclusively been confirmed as
involving the castor-bean derivative "ricin" or other toxic substances.
EmergencyNet News is monitoring events in D.C. very closely and will bring
you more official details as they become available...
22:00CST - 02 Feb 2004
Hazardous Substance Found in Dirksen Office Building
From the ERRI/EmergencyNet News Global Watchdesk
WASHINGTON, DC (EmergencyNet News): Several workers in a U.S. Senate
office building were evacuated today after tests indicated the presence of a
hazardous substance in the area. Government sources said one preliminary
test indicated the presence of "ricin," a deadly poison derived from castor
bean plants. That has not been confirmed by Senate sources at the time of
this report.
The U.S. Capitol Police said a suspicious powder substance was found at
15:00EST, in a room in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, located northeast
of the Capitol. An initial field test found nothing hazardous, but a
subsequent lab test by the Capitol Police indicated the presence of a
hazardous material, said Sgt. Contricia Sellars-Ford. Sellars-Ford did not
specify what hazardous material was detected, but said the Capitol Police
were sending the substance out for further analysis. Investigation of the
entire matter continues at this hour. EmergencyNet News will bring you
additional details as circumstances warrant.
Explorer Update/Vulnerability Fix Announced by Microsoft
Users can also use the built in 'Windows Update' feature found in the
Tools option of their IE Browser to automatically get the update that is
correct for your browser version. Sources: Microsoft/US-CERT
Bush To Sign Exec. Order For Intelligence Inquiry Panel
WASHINGTON, DC: The
Washington Times newspaper is reporting
that President Bush this week will order the creation of a nine-member,
bipartisan commission to conduct a broad investigation of the U.S.
intelligence community that goes beyond questions about the Iraq war, a
senior administration official said yesterday.
The commission will comprise intelligence experts — possibly including
past or current members of Congress — but will not complete its work until
next year, well after the presidential election Nov. 2, said the White House
official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
The executive order the president will sign this week will direct the
commission to take a "broad look at our intelligence, particularly related
to weapons of mass destruction," the official said. "It will look at Iraq,
but it will be more broad than that, the Times said.
Bird Flu (H5N1) Concerns
Continue to Multiply
VIET NAM/GERMANY: Reports emerged on 01 February 2004, that
World Health Organization (WHO) officials suspect that two sisters who
recently died from avian influenza may have contracted the virus from their
brother, making the infection the first suspected case of person-to-person
transmission. The parents of the children were also apparently infected with
the virus. WHO officials have been very concerned about the prospect of the
virus being transmitted from "person to person" due to concerns of a
potential "pandemic." Authorities are still testing to identify the actual
method of transmission.
In related news, health officials suspect that two women who recently
returned from Thailand may have contracted the bird flu virus (avian
influenza). After displaying symptoms one of the women has been hospitalized
while the other remains under observation, but has not yet shown any
symptoms. The potential outbreak in Europe comes after a wave of infections
and approximately 12 deaths in Asia, and would be the first case contracted
within Europe this year. Click
here for a "Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Outbreak" (H5N1) page on the CDC website...
01 Feb 2004
Twin Suicide/Homicide Bombers Attack Kurd Parties in N. Iraq
IRBIL, IRAQ: Two suspected suicide bombers
reportedly blew themselves up at the offices of two rival Kurdish parties in
the northern Iraqi city of Irbil Sunday. A statement U.S. sources said that
the preliminary death toll appears to be fifty-seven (57). Kurdish officials,
however, said casualties
were still being counted, and one unidentified minister told reporters that the death toll could rise
to 100. The separate, but nearly simultaneous, attacks reportedly
occurred at about 11:00 local time (03:00EST)
Few official reports are currently available concerning the
actual magnitude and effect of the attacks, but it would appear that two
suicide/homicide bombers may have taken advantage of lessened security at the beginning of the Eid
al-Adha holiday
to undertake attacks on the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the main factions in Iraq's Kurdish
north. EmergencyNet News will provide additional details in
today's ERRI Daily
Intelligence Report
Stampede Of Islamic Pilgrims Kills At Least 240
MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA: According to a report from the Cable News
Network, a stampede this morning (Sunday) killed at least 240 Muslim
pilgrims and injured at least another 200 during a "stone-throwing ritual"
which has been the source of similar deadly incidents in the past, according
to the Saudi Arabian health minister.
The incident happened around 09:00 local time, (06:00 GMT), during the
annual Hajj pilgrimage. The health minister said the stampede lasted for
about 27 minutes before the crowd was finally brought under control.
An estimated 2 million pilgrims are attending this year's Hajj.
Al Qaeda Terrorists are Seeking to Release a Chemical or Biological
agent Over America?
By Sara Kehaulani Goo and Dana Priest, WashPost
WASHINGTON,
DC: Intelligence indicating that al Qaeda terrorists are seeking to
release a chemical or biological agent aboard an airliner, or transport a
radiological device in cargo, was one of the factors that prompted the
cancellation of six international flights scheduled for today and tomorrow,
senior administration officials familiar with the reports said yesterday.
The intelligence on a weapon of mass destruction remains vague, and
officials remain concerned about hijackings and other methods of attack. The
use of such weapons (CBRN) in this way would be a new tactic.
Get the whole story from the Washington Post, click here.
Sen. Kerry Wants to Go Back to 90's "Law Enforcement Approach" to
Terrorism (Includes Editorial Comments by ERRI
analysts)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK: Democratic presidential front-runner John F.
Kerry reportedly pledged on Saturday that if he becomes president he'll
treat terrorist acts against the U.S. as a "law enforcement problem" rather
than an "act of war," an approach favored and used by President Clinton
(with little apparent success) throughout the 1990's.
Speaking before a group of
Oklahoma City firefighters, Kerry reportedly complained that the Bush
administration "doesn't understand the war on terror." Under a Kerry
administration, he said, the fight against terrorism "will involve the
military now and then," but it will be "primarily an intelligence gathering,
law enforcement operation." "It's a great big manhunt," Kerry
explained. "[The Bush] administration has translated that legitimate threat
into a completely wrongheaded kind of full-fledged military response."
Since 9/11, any number of U.S. terrorism experts have reported that the
Clinton administration's legalistic approach to fighting al Qaeda not only
proved largely ineffective, but that it may have actually emboldened bin
Laden to launch attacks on U.S. facilities and personnel throughout the
world -- without fear of any serious U.S. response to his aggression.
"With all due respect and consideration to Senator Kerry and his many
years of service to the United States, we do not understand why he would
want revert to a anti-terrorism strategy that has already proven failed,"
ERRI analysts said in response to the OKC report. "Rather than having
diminished...trans-national terrorism has grown in intensity and scope, with
more people per attack being killed and wounded...and the stated intent of
Usama Bin Laden and others of the 'Wahabi mindset' to use weapons of mass
destruction only amplifies the need to use any and all methods at our
disposal to combat terrorism...which must include military force," ERRI
spokesman Clark Staten said today.
Staten added that his opinion and that of other ERRI analysts is a
"professional assessment" and does not involve presidential politics in any
way. "The Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI) deals in issues
that are important to the health, safety, and security of America and her
allies...it is our clear and publicly stated policy not to take partisan
political positions, endorse candidates, accept funds, or entertain any
influence from any political, ethnic, religious, or ideological group or
organization," Staten added. "But, that said...we find
Senator Kerry's statement ill-advised and can not stand by and
let diametrically opposing and what appear to be largely political decisions
get in the way of what we believe is best for our country," Staten
concluded. [Editor's note: ERRI and the EmergencyNet News service
will entertain and publish respectful editorial replies to this article and
will continue to explore and discuss this issue in depth. Send your comments
to sysop@mail.emergency.com]
FBI Advocates Greater Inter-Agency Cooperation in Post 9/11 World
WASHINGTON: The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Assistant Director
Louis Quijas said that preventing terrorist attacks on U.S. soil in a post
9/11 world can only be done with a shield consisting of agents, police and
sheriffs working together. In a statement on the FBI website, Quijas said
that such a shield could be constructed by shaping national strategies and
approaches in tandem with joint operations between agencies to investigate
potential threats and suspicious activities.
He advocates federal and local agencies working closer together to share
terrorist-related information ranging from wanted suspects and potential
targets to methods and operations used by terrorists. Quijas also said that
up to 4,000 secret and top secret security clearances should be issued to
Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) members and law enforcement executives to
allow them more access to information and the ability to work more
efficiently.
31 Jan 2004
TERRORIST ALERTS
International Flights Canceled Over Security Threats
NEW YORK: At least seven international flights have been cancelled one
day after the FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced new
terrorist security threats relating to the airlines. British Airways flights
from London and Paris bound for the United State were cancelled, an airline
spokeswoman said.
U.S. officials told the Reuters news agancy that a specific Al-Qaeda threat
was behind the decision to cancel the flights. In Washington, the DHS
confirmed that British Airways had cancelled the flights based on
information it had been given.
The flights involved in the security situation are Flight 223 from London to
Washington Dulles and Flight 207 from Paris to Miami. Flights with these
numbers have been cancelled until further notice. Air France was also
cooperating with security officials in relation to the possibility its
aircraft could also be involved in a terrorist attack.
IRAQ - SIT-REP
Police Station Bombing Kills Nine Police Officers
MOSUL, IRAQ: A car bomb virtually destroyed a police station in the
Iraqi City of Mosul on Friday. A report by the Associated Press said the
attack killed nine people and wounded at least 45 others. Witnesses said a
car was seen speeding towards the building, avoiding a security barricade,
shortly before the explosion occurred.
The police station was crowded with officers collecting their salaries at
the time of the attack. Some civilians were believed to be among the dead.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
Roadside Bomb Kills Three U.S. Soldiers
KIRKUK, IRAQ: A roadside bomb detonated killing three U.S. soldiers
traveling in a convoy between the cities of Kirkuk and Tikrit on Saturday.
U.S. military officals refused to elaborate on the details surrounding the
attack, which occurred on the eve of a major religious holiday in Iraq and
the Muslim world -- the four-day Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice.
Dutch Embassy Building Hit By RPGs
BAGHDAD, IRAQ: The Dutch embassy in Baghdad was struck by two rocket
propelled grenades at 20:40 hrs. (local) on Friday in an attack that
authorities have linked to unidentified anti-coalition extremists. According
to military officials, the embassy buildings were empty at the time of the
attack.
U.N. Appeals for Funding to Relieve Bird Flu Cull
NEW YORK: The United Nations has again called for international funding
assistance to those countries suffering from the deadly bird-flu epidemic,
for the mass cull of infected birds. Much of the funding will go to farmers
adversely affected by having to destroy their poultry.
With a highly contagious strain of bird flu erupting in Asia and fears that
in a worst case
scenario it could mutate into a deadly human-to-human infection, the United
Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Friday called for speedy
mass killing of exposed birds and international aid to farmers hit by the
measures.
“Mass cullings in affected areas are currently considered as the most
effective way of stamping out the highly contagious virus that has so far
hit 10 countries in Asia," the agency’s senior animal production and health
officer, Hans Wagner, said of the measures which have so far resulted in 25
million birds being killed.
"We are, however, concerned that mass cullings are not taking place at a
speed we consider absolutely necessary to contain the virus H5N1 [the
current avian flu strain] in the region,” Mr. Wagner added.
Only two countries, Viet Nam and Thailand, have so far reported laboratory
confirmed cases of bird flu infection in humans, the former with eight
cases, six of them fatal, the latter with three cases, two of them fatal.
None of those involved human-to-human transmission.
Earlier this week, Indonesia said it would not begin culling birds until it
received
international funding assistance to do so. Other countries may be "less than
forthcoming about the spread possible infections," ERRI infectious disease
specialists said today
The FAO and UN World Health Organization (WHO) warned the virus risked
evolving into “an efficient and dangerous human pathogen.” If the virus
circulates long enough in humans and farm animals “there is an increased
risk that it may evolve into a pandemic influenza strain which could cause
disease worldwide,” they added.
30 Jan 2004
Concerns Again Raised About BA and AF Flights to USA
WASHINGTON, DC: New intelligence, reported in the past 48 hours,
purportedly shows British Airways and Air France flights to the US could
again be terrorist targets, US officials said. They say it is the same BA
flight to Washington and Air France flight to Los Angeles that sparked the
heightened terror alerts just before the holidays are involved in this most
current assessment. The officials, who spoke on condition of
anonymity, stressed there are no specific details and no plans to cancel or
delay any of the flights from Europe at this time. EmergencyNet News is
monitoring this report carefully and will bring you additional verification
or details as circumstances warrant.
Kerry Says Threat of Terrorism is 'Exaggerated'
By Brian DeBose, THE WASHINGTON TIMES
GREENVILLE, S.C. — According to a report in today's Washington Times,
Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts said during last night's Democratic
presidential debate that the threat of terrorism has been exaggerated. "I
think there has been an exaggeration," Mr. Kerry said when asked whether
President Bush has overstated the threat of terrorism. "They are misleading
all Americans in a profound way." Click here to get the whole story:
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20040129-115023-8966r.htm
FBI and DHS Warns of National Rail System Vulnerabilities
WASHINGTON, DC: According to reports from law enforcement sources, a FBI
and Department of Homeland Security Bulletin warned that there was a
continuing terrorist threat against U.S. subways and railways. The bulletin
released on Wednesday said that although no specific information pertaining
to an attack existed, "such an attack could not be ruled out."
Mentioned in the bulletin was Usama bin Laden's long-term fascination with
the 1995 sarin gas attack
on the Tokyo subway system.
"An attack on a subway or rail system could cause substantial loss of life,
and would have an adverse impact on public confidence, resulting in massive
economic loss," the bulletin said, according to a report of it by FoxNews.
The bulletin described possible attack scenarios, such as train derailment,
trackside bombs and chemical or biological attacks. The FBI and DHS warned
that timetable and operating schedules were publicly available and therefore
accessible by terrorists.
The FBI has warned law enforcement and security personnel to remain vigilant
to potential pre-operational planning and for any attempts by individuals to
bring explosives or chemical devices on a rail or subway system.
ERRI counter-terrorism analysts previously warned of problems associated
with transit systems and WMD, particularly subway facilities.
Click here for an additional
reference...
DoD Upbeat Over Capability to Deal with IED Threat
WASHINGTON, DC/IRAQ: The U.S. Department of Defense remains upbeat in
its assessment about the capability of U.S. forces to deal with the
ever-present threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Operation
Iraqi Freedom. Brig. Gen. Vincent Boles, Commander 3rd Corps Support
Command, told Wednesday's press briefing at the Pentagon that although the
IEDs were constructed with varying levels of sophistication, U.S. soldiers
had become very adept at noticing, observing and disabling them. "We're
seeing a very positive trend in that we're better able to identify the
threat."
He added that in terms of evolution, IEDs in Iraq have not made any
technological leaps forward during the current conflict. "There's no unified
trend I've seen about that," Gen. Boles said responding to a report's
question. "It's just -- you'll see a sophisticated one here, you'll see a
very basic one here, you'll see a different type of one here, but they --
don't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it." ERRI counter-terrorism
analysts said that the differing types and lethality of IEDs probably
relates to the disparate skill sets of multiple insurgent groups presently
operating in Iraq.
Car Bomb Defused Along Major Iraqi Oil Route
BAGHDAD, IRAQ: A car bomb on a major oil route in northern Iraq was
defused, the Associated Press reported. The car was discovered late Thursday
on the al-Hawija bridge on a highway used by coalition forces and oil
tankers transporting crude from the northern oil fields in Kirkuk to Iraq's
biggest refinery in Beiji, Kirkuk police chief Gen. Turhan Youssef said.
Al-Hawija bridge is just south of Kirkuk, which is 150 miles north of
Baghdad. Youssef said Iraqi police found the car and informed coalition
forces, who defused the bomb. Later, four people were arrested for suspected
involvement, he said.
Alhurra Network Aims to Broadcast Credible Information Round the Clock
By David Shelby, Washington File Staff Writer
Washington, DC: The U.S. government will begin broadcasting the
Alhurra satellite television network to the Middle East in the coming weeks.
Alhurra will broadcast its 24-hour-a-day Arabic language news and
information service over the Arabsat and Nilesat with what the network's
creators hope will set a new standard for satellite news in the region.
"We believe there is a market there for news you can depend on, a market for
current affairs you can depend on," said Kenneth Tomlinson, chairman of
Alhurra's parent company, the U.S. government's Broadcasting Board of
Governors (BBG).
Speaking to the Washington File January 28, Tomlinson stated, "In my view,
we can develop a market for the fact that the news is straight."
Many critics of the station maintain that the network will have a difficult
time establishing independent credibility as it is being established with
$32 million in funding from the U.S. Congress and is expected to receive an
additional $30 million in congressional appropriations for its first year of
operation.
Tomlinson responded that viewers in the Middle East will make the critical
decision as to whether Alhurra's information is credible or not. "The people
aren't stupid. If we're slanting the news, the people will figure it out,"
he said. He added, "If you look at television in the Middle East, you either
have state run stations or people with an axe to grind." According to
Tomlinson, Alhurra will challenge that with "accuracy -- news and current
events that are compelling, interesting to people's needs, and meaningful."
Tomlinson contends that people will want to watch Alhurra because it will
offer "real competition." Source: U.S. DoS
Warning that New Version of MyDoom Virus is Worse
WORLD-WIDE: Computer security analysts have warned that a new and
nastier variant of the MyDoom worm has been released and is beginning to
spread across the Internet. Computers infected with "MyDoom.B" will
allegedly launch a 12-day denial-of-service attack on the Microsoft.com
domain beginning Feb. 1, 2004. They will also launch a separate attack on
the SCO Group's website on the same date, just as the original version of
the worm is coded to do.
In response to the threat against it, Microsoft says it will pay a
$250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the
person or persons responsible for releasing the Mydoom-B worm. The offer is
part of Microsoft's $5 million bounty program to reward people for
information relating to worm and virus authors that affect Microsoft
programs.
The Russian security firm, Kaspersky
Labs, said today that it had traced the first emails infected with
Mydoom to addresses with Russian Internet providers. "We have special
software to monitor Internet traffic across the world. This detected that
the first emails infected by the worm came from Russian providers," the
firm's spokesman Denis Zenkin, told the AFP news service. The actual source
of the MyDoom files has not been confirmed U.S. computer security experts at
this time.
MyDoom.B also reportedly alters system files in order to block infected
computers from accessing a list of 65 websites, most of them belonging to
antivirus vendors, in an apparent attempt to stymie users attempting to
download antivirus application
updates or information.
ERRI analysts said that MyDoom has spread faster than any other worm of
its type and may have residual affects for some time to come. ERRI
spokesman, Clark Staten, today said about the worm, "After-effects are not
only problem...we remain concerned about continued 'mutations' as other
virus writers attempt to manipulate MyDoom code to attack targets of their
choice and/or cause other damage to operating systems " "Each time a
new virus is released and is 'successful' it adds to the knowledge of the
virus writers and potentially makes the next new virus/worm/Trojan more
virulent," Staten added.
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15:00EST - 03 Feb 2004
