Disembowler
Disembowler, also known as Magistr.A, was a complex email worm for Windows systems. It was discovered in March 2001. The worm targeted lawyers and other members of legal offices by searching files for law-related keywords and phrases, activating itself if found.[1][2]
Effects
[edit]The worm would send an email to addresses in the infected computer's outlook address book. The email arrived with a randomly generated subject line, and 6 files. 5 of which were files from the originating PC, and the 6th was a copy of the program.[3] After sending the email, the program would remain inactive for months, before modifying or erasing the CMOS of the computer, which is required to boot the computer.[4][5]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Magistr - The Virus Encyclopedia". virus.wikidot.com. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
- ↑ "Worm:W32/Magistr | F-Secure". www.f-secure.com. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
- ↑ Johanns, Kate (15 March 2024). "Tech Time Warp: Magistr "disembowels" computers". Smarter MSP. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
- ↑ "CNN.com - Technology - Magistr worm emerges, scarce but deadly - March 19, 2001". www.cnn.com. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
- ↑ "Virus:Win32/Magistr.A@mm threat description - Microsoft Security Intelligence". www.microsoft.com. Retrieved 5 May 2026.