Computer Worm – ‘Blackworm’

Washington, D.C. – Last month, a mass e-mail worm was launched worldwide potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of computers. The worm, known as “Blackworm,” with other variable names such as Nyxem.E, MyWife.d, and Blackmal.Eal was disguised in an unsolicited e-mail that was circulated in mid-January. By its design, the worm is intended to destroy various computer files on infected computers on the third day of each month beginning tomorrow, February 3, 2006.

Immediately upon learning of this latest worm, the FBI acted swiftly and jointly with our partners in law enforcement and the anti-virus companies to investigate its origin and author(s). The investigation remains ongoing.

Blackworm is detected and removed by employing up-to-date anti-virus software. Computer users are urged to become familiar with the latest software available to protect their systems.

The FBI Cyber Division’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has issued a bulletin with more specific information on the Blackworm and user tips. The bulletin can be found on the web at http://www.ic3.gov/media/2006/060202.htm.