Google PR Dept Bitten by Worm

Thats "public relations" and NOT "page rank" (lol!)

[Brett_Tabke]

According to several outlets Google yesterday spread a virus attached to a release. A followup from Google indicated that members of the media release list were the recipients of the payload. The followup letter apologized for the mistake.

"...a message was inadvertently transmitted to members of the Google media e-mail list that contained a virus-infected attachment."

The emails apparently sent via YahooGroups do look as though the headers authenticate. No attempt to contact Google to confirm has been attempted - Google rarely comments on security matters.

[mil2k]

Wonder what Anti virus software they use ;)

[edit_g]

Wonder what Anti virus software they use

Wonder what anti virus software they USED to use...

[martinibuster]

I'm going to note this in my Google intelligence black book: Googleplex uses Windows machines for work and Apple I-Macs for show (trade shows).

[claus]

.. and Ygroups for maillists?!

[EliteWeb]

Not good at all for Google. This should have their IT dept think of a solution server side for monitoring mail to confirm viruses do not come in or out of their system. I didn't get the virus but that could seriously suck for them if it was a destructful virus to the computer.

[gmoney]

I actually received the attached virus and fortunately either Outlook or Mcafee blocked it. I also received the warning about a half hour later saying not to open it.

[werty]

I am still suprised that this happened, it is how my morning started. Get to work, open outlook and get a Virus warning...

I am also suprised that they use the yahoo groups to send out the messages.

[twilight47]

The emails apparently sent via YahooGroups

Is this some deal that Google has mad with Yahoo?

"We'll use YahooGroups and Yahoo will hold off on Inktomi"
;)

[Tim]

The googlepress Group was actually set up in Oct 8 1999 when the service was called egroups. It was acquired by Yahoo in June 28, 2000.
[docs.yahoo.com...]

[claus]

Well, okay, it's not really the maillist software chosen although i can't help thinking it's an odd choice. There are two things apparently, the first being press releases sent out as attachments, and the second being the virus attached/included.

I'd think it was much more efficient to include a brief summary in plain text in the email, and then a link for the full press release. That way they could just store it on a web page and avoid problems like this. If the PR was in HTML they would also know that people could read it without having specific software installed apart from any browser.

/claus

[NFFC]

>.. and Ygroups for maillists?!

Why not?

Most of the great Web companies we know were developed by a few people, and everybody started using those things, right? Yahoo! is a great example, Google is a great example. My brother is one of the founders of eGroups...

Larry Page [businessweek.com]

[Net_Wizard]

There are two things apparently, the first being press releases sent out as attachments, and the second being the virus attached/included.

Google possibly encourage email attachments just to show support and their preferences for pdf and doc files ;)

[physics]

Methings Google PR should follow Google Tech and use Linux.

[sidyadav]

Woow, Google is a world leading in Search engine's with no Anti-Virus Protection ora Bad Anti-Virus?!

[percentages]

Unbelievable in this day and age! I guess there are a few spare desks at the Plex now?

Forget about Ebay buying Google, I think Symantec should!

[rfgdxm1]

One comment about the title of this thread. Since worms don't have teeth, how can they bite? ;)

[sidyadav]

I think they mean Computer worms...

<<<Precentages said:
"Forget about Ebay buying Google, I think Symantec should!"
>>>

True! After this incident , Do you think they might have installed a good anti-virus?

[MonkeeSage]

Computer worms byte and nibble. ;)

Jordan

[Feebie]

I guess Google needs to really revamp, else looking at the recent events (other SEs) Big 'G' shall be in for security speculation and not to mention tough competition!

[skipfactor]

Google secretary mistakes Sobig attachment for her husband's prostate exam. Google to cease operations. Full story @ 11

[Powdork]

Was it Sobig? I'm not with Yahoo Newsgroups but there was definitely a noticeable resurgence today.

[sidyadav]

Sobdig is a Virus that spreds my e-mail.
There are different Sobig's:
Sobig.F
Sobig.B

They're e-mail message is usually this:
"Please see the attached file"

They have different Subjects , they're attachment (virus, not to download) is usually a *.pif extension or a *.src extention.

That's all I know about Sobig...

They do a lot of harm to your computer.

For more info , see here:
[securityresponse.symantec.com...]

[nakulgoyal]

Were they also attacked by the Blaster Worm? After all they also use the networks and the operating systems and the INTERNET? :-)

So they got infected ... somehow..>! But that made a pretty long thread here at Webmaster World.

[sidyadav]

I found out , those who used a Fire-Wall at the time of Blaster Worm , they weren't attacked , only us who were roaming around surfing without bothering were, attacked.

(IMHO) But for Google, they had no Anti-Virus (or a Bad Anti-Virus) , How can they have Firewall? They may have a Firewall, but the chances are 6 to 10, and If Google were attacked but the Blaster, it would be a big news. And Blaster Worm only attacked Windows Operating System's (They didn't Attack all others and Windows ME), Is anybody sure Google has Windows or do they just have Linux or something , because when I fetched server headers for www.google.com , I get that they have this server:
GWS/2.1 , this can be "Google Web Server" or something else.

Sid

[gmoney]

I just received another email with an attachment that said it was from Google and deleted it faster than you can say "why take a chance". However, I was wondering if this was a legit email or if it was Google getting bitten again or if it was a result of somebody else who was bitten.

[percentages]

All emails from Google can't be trusted now......they have lost all credibility! Delete them all without reading. Well done Google PR.....you have achieved what MS couldn't in their wildest dreams!

A fine achievement by all standards!

[gmoney]

I still read emails from Google, just not the ones that have an attachment and say they are from "googlepress".

[sidyadav]

Same, Don't know what I should do about it...

[killroy]

Most viruses exploit bugs in windows. set up autoupdate. Bugs Fixed, not scared. I never even seen any of those viruses, and I'm connected 24/7 with a fixed IP. (made a few bugs fixing other folks comps though ;)

SN