DutchNews.nl - Over 20 companies hit by computer virus

At least 20 companies and organisations have been affected by a virulent computer virus spread by email.

The Sasfis virus has brought computer systems at government offices, universities and companies to a halt, the national cyber security centre said on Thursday.

Around 2,900 individual computers have been affected, including at council offices in Den Bosch, Venlo, Weert, Almere and Buren. Some are now back up and running.

KLM was also hit by a computer problem on Thursday, but the airline said it was not connected with the Sasfis virus and has been solved.

The Sasfis virus is a 'trojan horse' which appears to be an innocent programme until it is downloaded by users. However, once on a computer, it allows unauthorised people access.

This new variation of Sasfis remains unnoticed by virus scanners and can be passed on through everything done on a computer. For instance, people who downloaded documents from infected councils on Wednesday or Thursday could now have the virus.

Do you have any tips for dealing with these viruses? Let us know on the comment form below.

Readers' Comments

You want a tip? Stay away from Windows.

By pepe | 9 August 2012 3:05 PM

My tip?

Use Linux.

By Dafydd | 9 August 2012 5:28 PM

The windows explorer has a feature to hide the file name extensions, which is turned on by default. After switching it off the extensions become visible and it becomes quite obvious that (for example) files with names like "Picture.jpg.exe" or "Document.doc.com" can hardly contain pictures or documents and maybe it is not good idea to open at all.

Also most of the viruses or trojans use security holes in the operating system and the installed software, which the vendors regularly patch. It is a good idea to keep your software up to date with these patches, but the organizations may have a security policy which prevents this.

There are many more safety tips, but I consider the ones above essential.

By George | 9 August 2012 8:08 PM

Lol, virus scanners, you mean stuff like Norton or a free one like AVG to keep you safe? Those security programs just take over your computer & slow it down. (Google is the biggest spyware in existence.)

The whole business of windows is to make zillions by keeping the software vulnerable to attacks.

In a nutshell? I keep 2 computers, store my files externally with back-ups, don't bother with security other than the firewall. If i get a bad virus, just reinstall. Try checking with Spybot before you hit the execute button.

By The visitor | 10 August 2012 2:45 AM

"Do you have any tips for dealing with these viruses? "

Only One - Use Linux

By Gerard | 10 August 2012 9:23 AM

Marvelous, what a blog it is! This blog gives valuable data to us, keep it up.

By Replica rolex | 15 August 2012 6:16 AM