‘Funny Virus’ Spreads Infection on Myanmar’s Computer

A locally designed PC virus known as the "Funny Virus" is disrupting functions of a large number of computers in and around the Union of Myanmar (also called Burma), according to reports from THE IRRAWADDY published on June 16, 2009.

As per the reports from the IT experts of a Rangoon (Myanmar) based computer school, the virus started to make rounds during May 2009, infecting one computer to another via online downloads or electronic mails.

Additionally, the 'Funny Virus' is transmitted to hard drive of a computer when its user views the contaminated e-mail recognized as carrying a cute picture of a Myanmarese girl named 'Ohn Mar Soe.' The crafty e-mail invites recipients to click on the attached file by guessing the birth date of the girl from a given catalog.

A computer user from Rangoon said the e-mail warns the recipient that if he selects the incorrect date, his computer will automatically shut down, as reported by THE IRRAWADDY on June 16, 2009.

Furthermore, if a user clicks o the e-mail, he will not be able to come out of it unless he chooses a date and this way the virus spreads. The annoyed computer user also said that the malevolent virus had contaminated all systems in Rangoon from computers at cyber-cafes to privately-owned laptops.

An IT expert belonging to Rangoon's KMD School of computer training said that it was possible to destroy the 'Funny Virus,' but it would continue to be in the systems, as reported by THE IRRAWADDY.

Meanwhile, harassment of computer operators in Myanmar with a malicious virus is nothing new. During February 2008, a PC virus called "Happy Birthday Virus" hit a large number of users in Myanmar. Reportedly, it also spread through e-mails showing 'Happy Birthday' in their subject line. The malware was so tough that despite rebooting, it continued to strike on the system resulting in the corruption of its system files.

Hence, the security specialists feel that in light of various attacks hitting the PCs of unwitting people in Myanmar, it is vital for the country to have a stronger as well as more effective IT security.

Related article: “Loopholes did not cause online banking thefts”: ICBC

» SPAMfighter News - 6/24/2009