You're in: Panda Security > Home Users > security-info > about-malware > encyclopedia > overview
Active Scan. Scan your PC free
Panda Security Product Line 2012

Virus Encyclopedia

Welcome to the Virus Encyclopedia of Panda Security.

Encyclopedia GetVirusCard True 0

Sobig.E

 
Threat LevelModerate threatDamageHighDistributionNot widespread
Common name:Sobig.E
Technical name:W32/Sobig.E
Threat level:Low
Alias:W32/Sobig.E,
Type:Worm
Effects:  It does not have any destructive effects. It spreads via e-mail and if the system date is earlier than 14 July 2003, it spreads across network drives.
Affected platforms:

Windows XP/2000/NT/ME/98/95

First detected on:June 25, 2003
Detection updated on:Oct. 25, 2007
StatisticsNo
Yes, using TruPrevent Technologies
Repair utility:Panda QuickRemover

Brief Description 

    

Sobig.E is a worm that does not have any damaging effects, which spreads via e-mail. The message carrying this worm is easy to identify, as the body of the message is always: Please see the attached zip file for details.

Once it has infected a computer, Sobig.E looks for e-mail addresses in all the files it finds on the affected computer with the following extensions: TXT, EML, HTM*,DBX and WAB. It then sends a copy of itself to all these addresses.

Sobig.E also spreads across network drives if the date is earlier than July 14, 2003. In order to do this, it copies itself to the Startup directories in the computers connected to the same network as the affected computer.

Visible Symptoms 

    

Sobig.E is easy to recognize when it spreads via e-mail, as the message carrying the worm always contains the following text: Please see the attached zip file for details.