Virus: Happy99.exe

[Methusalah]

Beware - this virus is out and about again, arriving as an attachment to a message, with no text, that immediately follows a genuine message from the same source.
Norton Anti-Virus programme picks it up.

[Nightrider]

As long as you do not open the attachment, it will do no harm. Very easy to delete and to clean up.
No worries, there are solutions available.

[Islander Jock]

Thanks for the warning Methusalah. Keeps turning up like an unwanted girlfriend doesn't it ;)

[A Squared]

If you do get infected by Happy99, you can get a program to get rid of it here:

http://www.softseek.com/Utilities/Virus_Protection/Review_24208_index.html

[NikeAir]

Thanks for the warning chaps, if only i had read this thread BEFORE becoming infected on NY Eve - Blast and Double Drat...... http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/frown.gif

What are the main manifestations once infected though?, what might i already have lost or expect to have lost off my hard drive - if anything?

I will try the previous recommended site for the disinfectant.

Whilst im on tho, does anyone know a site for free download-able Anti Virus software??.

Thanks
Nike A

[Whooaahh]

Happy 99 is although very annoying actually a very friendly virus...The writer obviously wanted to propagate his work around the world and make things very easy for people to see what he has done. Egotistical, you bet...

Removal is dead simple.

First reboot your system into "dos safe mode" then follow the instructions below. You could even write a smal batch file to do this automatically should you for what ever reason wish to watch the fireworks again.

C:
CD\
cd windows\system
del wsock32.dll
ren wsock32.ska wsock32.dll
del *.ska

Reboot and your system is clean again.

The happy99.exe is harmless as long as you don't run it.

Whooaahh!!