Two Internet infections have surfaced in the past week -- "Neroma" and "Vote.K" -- that carry September 11 references, computer experts said.
The programs are not considered to be high-risk threats, but security officials were warning computer users on Thursday to avoid opening suspicious 9/11 themed e-mails. Virus writers often label their malicious works with topical messages hoping people will open them up and trigger a mass infection.
"Neroma" carries the subject line "It's Near 911!." It contains a file attachment labeled "911.jpg" with the description "Nice butt baby!."
It is programmed to delete computer files on infected PCs and scan its Microsoft Outlook Express e-mail address book in search of more e-mail victims to sniff out.
"Vote.K," a new variation of a virus that first appeared shortly after the September 11 attacks, arrives in e-mail inboxes with the message "THE WAR HAS STARTED!," according to Finnish security firm F-Secure Corp.
It too threatens to delete files and carries a message "WORLD TRADE CENTER/WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THOSE LOST SOULS."
Meanwhile, British security firm Sophos Anti-Virus said a two-year-old e-mail that warns about a fictitious file-deleting virus called "WTC Survivor" is once again one of the most popular e-mail hoaxes in circulation.
Be careful opening up any 9/1/01 Things....