Be alert for the Hybris computer virus, also known as the Full Moon Virus or Worm, W32/Hybris.gen@MM, W95.Hybris.gen, and other variations of the Hybris name. The virus replicates itself by watching for e-mail addresses in incoming and outgoing e-mails and then sending itself, in the form of a mail attachment, to those addresses. This virus infects Windows systems only, including Windows 95, 98, ME, NT 4.0, and 2000. Your computer becomes infected when you open the attachment.
If your computer is infected, anyone with whom you exchange e-mails may receive unexpected e-mails with the virus attachment, from your screen name. The e-mails may have the subject line, "Snowhite and the Seven Dwarfs - The Real Story," and an attachment with a name of "sexy virgin.scr" or "joke.exe" or "midgets.scr" or "dwarf4you.exe." Some variations of this e-mail and virus may have different subject lines and/or attachment names. If you receive an email with this heading, DO NOT download the attachment.
What does the Hybris virus do? The Hybris virus downloads a variety of plug-ins from the Internet, and each plug-in could affect your computer differently. The most common plug-in displays a spiral graphic on your computer and prevents you from using Windows. The virus follows an internal clock, and downloads plug-ins on days when the moon is full.
The virus usually infects the Wsock32.dll file in Windows, and may corrupt and damage this file during each full moon. If your Wsock32.dll file becomes damaged, you may be unable to reach the Web, and you may experience Windows errors like General Protection Faults in Modules "<Unknown>," "Wsock32.dll," and "Kernel32.dll." While most of the damage may happen on or around the full moon, the virus may create problems any time.
The Hybris virus is also known by the names: W32/Hybris.gen@MM, W95.Hybris.gen, and other variations of the Hybris name. This virus infects Windows systems only, including Windows 95, 98, ME, NT 4.0, and 2000.
What can I do? An infected computer may lock up and have other operating problems. If you suspect you are infected with the Hybris virus, update your anti-virus software and scan your hard drive, following the software manufacturer's instructions. Recently updated anti-virus software should detect and remove the virus.
A free demo of the VirusScan anti-virus software and updates for removing this virus are available at the Anti-Virus Center. If you want further information on viruses, trojan horses, and worms, visit the Computer Protection area and AOL Keyword: Virus. For the dates and times of full moons, visit AOL Keyword: Full Moon.
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