Internet alert for W32/Blaster virus

Internet users were yesterday advised of the risk of their computers being affected by the worm “W32/Blaster.”  The W32/Blaster worm is reportedly affecting Corporate networks and home computers worldwide by causing the user’s PC to shut down once it establishes an Internet connection. For Internet users therefore it may appear as though their Internet connection is being cut off.

According to an advisory posted on the website of the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), the W32/Blaster worm is primarily affecting unprotected PC’s using Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, NT 4.0 and Windows Server 2003. However it is not limited to these systems. Internet users have been urged to take all necessary precautions to prevent their syustem from being infected. If a system has not been infected, users can download a patch from the Microsoft website to fix the vulnerability and protect the computer from being infected by the W32/ Blaster worm. Alternatively, users who suspect that their system has been infected by the W32/Blaster worm can download a repair programme from the SYMANTEC website. TSTT said it wished to assure its customers that since learning of the presence of the W32/Blaster worm, it has taken steps to protect its customers from any further infection through the international Internet ports. However, the worm can still spread locally among Internet users and even via other Internet Service Providers. Free tools for protecting PC’s, detecting and removing the W32/Blaster worm as well as other details about the virus are available at: CERT.org; microsoft.com and securityresponse.symantec.com.