Colleagues - I don't normally repeat virus warnings because 90% of them are
hoaxes; however, when I receive one from the Yale University ITS Security
Office, I think it's worth noting.  This may be a "for real" virus.

Here's the message, relayed to me (as you can see) by a friend in the Yale
University Law School.

Ross Durham, Biology















Information Security Office
 ITS, Yale University

 This alert concerns individuals who use Windows 95, 98 and NT.

 A program called PrettyPark.EXE is being disseminated as an e-mail
attachment. If you receive this program, do not run it - delete it
immediately.

 When the PrettyPark program is executed, it displays a screen saver and
embeds itself in your computer system. Once embedded in your system,
PrettyPark will try to do two things every 30 seconds:

 1) e-mail itself to everyone listed in your Internet address book
 2) 2) connect to specific chat rooms on the IRC network

 The second action is the most dangerous. Apparently individuals on IRC can
use this connection to access information on your computer.

 For a more complete description of PrettyPark see:

 <http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/prettypark.worm.html>http://www.sym
antec.com/avcenter/venc/data/prettypark.worm.html

 In general, do not open or run e-mail attachments unless you are certain
they are safe and use Norton AntiVirus as described at

 <http://www.yale.edu/its/security/antivirus.html>http://www.yale.edu/its/securi
ty/antivirus.html

 If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your local support
provider or appropriate Help Desk.  Central Campus:  2-9000.  School of
Medicine:  5-3200


 Gloria Hoda
 ITS Communications Coordinator
 [log in to unmask]
 (203) 432-2079





 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
 Susan Monsen
 Director of Computer Services
 Yale Law School
 [log in to unmask]
 203 432 4044