Threat Descriptions

Gullible

Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

Virus

Platform :

W97M

Aliases :

Gullible

Summary

W97M/Gullible is a Word 97 macro virus that replicates when an infected document is opened. It infects the global template and all documents that are currently open. After the global template is infected it also infects all documents created, opened or closed after that.

Removal

Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it will either move the file to the quarantine where it cannot spread or cause harm, or remove it.

A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:

  • Check for the latest database updates

    First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.

  • Submit a sample

    After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.

    Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.

  • Exclude a file from further scanning

    If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.

    Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.

Technical Details

Variant:Gullible.A (MFV)

If the name of the registered user is "S. Bach", and an infected document is opened the virus displays a message in German: 

Ich bin wieder hier!

which means "I'm here again!" in English.

At March 19th the virus activates its payload when an document is closed. At this time the virus will change the shape of Word window to a circle.

Then it uses Office Assistant to show two messages. The first message is: 

(DocumentName) was infected by MFV (My First Virus)

where "(DocumentName)" is replaced with either the document name or the name of the global template, "Normal.dot".

The second message is:

This virus is not harmful. Belive me!

 Your window was only deformed, not more!

 This virus is freeware. You may give it to anyone!

After the virus has modified the appearance of the Word window, it has to be closed from task bar or using a hot key (Alt+F4) since the menu bar is partially invisible.