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SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A new computer worm that disguises itself as an e-mail from Microsoft Corp. MSFT.O is spreading, computer security firms warned on Monday.
The e-mail containing the worm, dubbed Palyh or Mankx, appears to come from support@microsoft.com, but is not from the software company.
When the attachment is opened, the worm copies itself to the Windows folder, scoops up e-mail addresses from the hard disk and starts sending itself out, said U.K-based Sophos.
The malicious program can spread itself to other Windows machines on a local area network, anti-virus vendors said.
It also can secretly install spyware programs on infected computers that could eavesdrop on the computer user, according to Moscow-based Kaspersky Labs.
The worm is programmed to expire automatically on May 30, according to Symantec Corp.
It began spreading on Saturday and has apparently infected computers in 69 countries, according to MessageLabs.
A Microsoft spokesman said the company never sends out unsolicited mass e-mails with attachments.
The e-mail containing the worm, dubbed Palyh or Mankx, appears to come from support@microsoft.com, but is not from the software company.
When the attachment is opened, the worm copies itself to the Windows folder, scoops up e-mail addresses from the hard disk and starts sending itself out, said U.K-based Sophos.
The malicious program can spread itself to other Windows machines on a local area network, anti-virus vendors said.
It also can secretly install spyware programs on infected computers that could eavesdrop on the computer user, according to Moscow-based Kaspersky Labs.
The worm is programmed to expire automatically on May 30, according to Symantec Corp.
It began spreading on Saturday and has apparently infected computers in 69 countries, according to MessageLabs.
A Microsoft spokesman said the company never sends out unsolicited mass e-mails with attachments.