New virus wipes hard drives, calls 911

April 3, 2000
Web posted at: 1:32 PM EDT (1732 GMT)

(CNN) -- A U.S. government agency has identified a new virus that can erase hard drives and take control of a user's modem in order to dial a 911 emergency line.

The National Infrastructure Protection Center warns that the virus may cause emergency authorities to check out many bogus 911 phone calls.

According to the agency, the virus has affected a "relatively limited" number of systems in the Houston area. The program can be found in hidden directories named "chode," "foreskin," or "dickhair."

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As opposed to being sent via e-mail as with many recent viruses, this virus only affects systems set up for file and print sharing. Once a vulnerable system is identified, the virus copies itself quickly to other computers. According to Symantec's Anti-Virus Research Center, the virus searches for open computers on nine different Internet Service Providers, including America Online, BellSouth, PSInet, Earthlink and Mindspring.

On the 19th of the month, the virus is triggered to erase the infected computer's hard drive.

The 911 virus is relatively easy to eliminate, according to Symantec. All that's required is to delete three files and wipe out the hidden directory it creates. With the latest virus definition files, both Norton AntiVirus, which Symantec publishes, and McAfee VirusScan can find and remove the virus.

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National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC)
Symantec AntiVirus Research Center

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