NORWALK, Conn. - Feb. 2, 2006 - A new family of computer worms that attacks the Windows operating system is set to attack millions of computer users across the Internet tomorrow, a former master forger and leading fraud prevention expert warns. Worm and virus attacks prey on consumers - and those who have not purchased or recently updated their Internet security software are more vulnerable. These attacks can also allow a criminal to obtain personal information that could be used to steal individual identities.

Once activated, these worms - which will attack computers under the names Nyxem.E, CME-24, BlackWorm, Mywife.E, KamaSutra and VB.bi. - will corrupt all documents on an infected machine with the following file extensions: .dmp, .doc, .mdb, .mde, .pdf, .psd, .ppt, .pps, .rar, .xls and .zip.

"That means almost all files created using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel or Microsoft PowerPoint could be lost forever, as well as certain Adobe Photoshop files, PDF files used by Adobe Acrobat and competing PDF readers, and several kinds of database and compression files," Frank W. Abagnale said. "These worms are generally meant to help spammers and hackers carry out attacks, so the impact this time may be more severe than recent outbreaks."

Hundreds of thousands of Windows machines are believed to have already been infected, mostly in India, Peru, Turkey and Italy, said Mikko Hypponen, chief research officer for anti-virus and security company F-Secure Corp.

Microsoft Corp. issued an advisory Tuesday warning customers about the worm, which affects most versions of Windows.

The worm also tries to disable anti-virus software that is out of date, Hypponen said. Thus, users should make sure their software is turned on and has the latest definitions.

Users should be safe if they have the latest anti-virus software or if their computers are set with limited privileges, a common setting in larger organizations and companies. They are vulnerable if they, like many small business and home users, leave their computers set with full administrative rights.

Users should also check the date on the computer. The worm hits the third of every month, so if the computer’s local calendar settings are off, Hypponen said, files may be destroyed sooner or later, even if the computer is never turned on Friday.



"The installation of a firewall that prevents unauthorized access to your computer is especially important if you leave your computer connected to the Web though a DSL or cable modem," Abagnale said.

If you find it difficult to keep your PC software up-to-date, Abagnale suggests joining a service such as PC SafetyPlus (http://www.pcsafetyplus.com), which provides F-Secure virus protection and a personal firewall to thwart hackers and other online threats. PC SafetyPlus software features automatic updates and service upgrades for protection against prevailing computer viruses and worms. PC users should also update their Microsoft operating system regularly.

About Frank Abagnale

A master forger who once cashed $2.5 million in bad checks, Abagnale detailed his crimes in the 1980 autobiography, Catch Me If You Can, which became a blockbuster movie. Abagnale has spent the past 30 years helping the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to prevent fraud and respond to changing trends in criminal activity.

About PC SafetyPlus

Members of the PC SafetyPlus service (http://www.pcsafetyplus.com or 1-877-630-1183) enjoy leading-edge Internet security tools and ID theft protection, including virus and worm protection, firewall protection, spyware protection, spam blocker, parental control, ID theft support service and ID theft insurance. A trial membership of the Internet security service is available, with the first month costing only $1. This membership can be cancelled at any time during the one-month trial period by calling toll free and owing nothing further. Unless the member calls to cancel during the trial, the membership will be extended automatically for an entire year at the $99.99 annual fee and automatically renewed annually upon expiration at the then-current annual fee, billed to a credit card account, without the member having to do anything further. Additionally, members may call toll free to cancel at any time and receive a pro-rata refund of their then current membership fee. The PC SafetyPlus service is offered by Affinion Group, a leader in the membership, insurance and loyalty marketing businesses, providing products and services that touch the lives of millions of Americans.

About Affinion Group

Affinion Group is a leading affinity direct marketer of value-added membership, insurance and package enhancement programs and services to consumers. With more than 30 years of experience, Affinion Group currently offers its programs and services worldwide through more than 4,500 affinity partners. Its diversified base of affinity partners includes leading companies in a wide variety of industries, including financial services, retail, travel, telecommunications, utilities and Internet. Affinion Group also has a growing loyalty solutions operation which administers points-based loyalty programs. Based in Norwalk, Conn., Affinion Group has approximately 3,600 employees throughout the United States and in 13 countries across Europe.

About Affinion Group
As a global leader with almost 40 years of experience, Affinion Group (www.affinion.com) enhances the value of its partners' customer relationships by developing and marketing loyalty solutions. Leveraging its expertise in customer engagement, product development and targeted marketing, Affinion provides programs in subscription-based lifestyle services, personal protection, insurance and other areas to help generate increased customer loyalty and significant incremental revenue for more than 5,550 marketing partners worldwide, including many of the largest and most respected companies in financial services, retail, travel, and Internet commerce. Based in Stamford, Conn., the company has approximately 4,250 employees and markets in 17 countries globally. Affinion holds the prestigious ISO 27001 certification for the highest information security practices, is PCI compliant and Cybertrust certified.

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