Security news
Security news4 August 2003
Apple Mac and Unix users immune from Mimail worm attack, advises Sophos Anti-Virus
Sophos technical support has advised users of Apple Macintosh and Unix computers that they cannot be infected by the W32/Mimail-A worm.
"Mimail is a Windows 32 worm, meaning that it cannot execute unless Microsoft Windows is present," explained Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos Anti-Virus. "Furthermore, the Mimail worm relies upon a vulnerability in Microsoft applications which is simply not present on Apple Mac and Unix-based computers. Of course it is technically possible for unaffected computer users to forward the infected email to colleagues who use PCs, but this is unlikely to be a major vector by which the virus will spread."
Sophos has advised that computer owners who use Microsoft products for mail and web access, make sure they have the latest security updates installed. Microsoft issued a patch months ago to protect against the HTML exploit used by this worm. Microsoft has also published step-by-step instructions for home users on how to help protect their computers with critical updates.
