W97M.Melissa.M

Risk Level 1: Very Low

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Discovered:: July 1, 1999
Updated:: February 13, 2007 11:52:44 AM
Type:: Macro
Systems Affected:: Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP

This macro virus is a modified variant of W97M.Melissa. This variant uses a viral module named MelissaFX. While the original variant uses MS Outlook to send an infected document to up to 50 people, this variant uses MS Outlook to send an infected document to between 30% and 60% of the entries in MS Outlook address book

For additional information on macro viruses, including how to regenerate the Normal.dot file, read the document Macro viruses: How they spread, prevention, and removal.

Antivirus Protection Dates

Initial Rapid Release version July 7, 1999
Latest Rapid Release version July 7, 1999
Initial Daily Certified version July 7, 1999
Latest Daily Certified version July 7, 1999
Initial Weekly Certified release date pending

Click for a more detailed description of Rapid Release and Daily Certified virus definitions.

Threat Assessment

Wild

Wild Level: Low
Number of Infections: 50 - 999
Number of Sites: 3 - 9
Geographical Distribution: Medium
Threat Containment: Easy
Removal: Easy

Damage

Damage Level: Low

Distribution

Distribution Level: Medium

Writeup By: Raul Elnitiarta

Technical Details

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Internet Security Threat Report, Volume 16