Norman has today warned against a new malicious virus which spreads through e-mail attachments. The MTX - virus spreads under the Win 32 systems. The virus infects .exe-files, tries to send e-mails with infected attachments and installs a backdoor for downloading programs from the Internet. The attachments may have a different names e.g ; YOU_are_FAT, Win_$100_NOW, FUCKING_WITH_DOGS.

The virus has an unusual structure. It consists of three different components that are run as standallone programs (Virus, email Worm and Backdoor). The virus is the main component, it keeps the worm and the backdoor programs in its code in compressed form. While infecting the system, it extracts and starts to spread.

One of the destructive functions of this virus, is that it blocks access to several major antivirus companies web sites and blocks e-mail to these as well, making it impossible to download relevant, updated virus definition files from these companies. Norman web site and e-mail addresses are not among those affected.

Those who has been infected can clean their systems by going to Normans web site and download the latest updated virus definition file. Those who do not run Norman Virus Control must first download a trial version, and then download the updated virus definition file.

Updated virus definition files which discover and clean this virus can now be downloaded from http://www.norman.com. In the meantime we recommend not opening e-mails with attachments.

For further information, please contact:

Norman ASA, Steinar Wigtil phone: + 47-67-10-97-29