Kiss of Death

Classification

Category :

Other

Type :

Other

Aliases :

Kiss of Death

Summary

There is no virus by this name.

However, we sometimes get queries about this, as some mail clients (notably Netscape Mail) displays an error message like this:

The POP3 server responded:
 Received Kiss of Death
 Please enter a new password 		 		

This means that the mailbox has been opened more than once concurrently.

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

This commonly occurs when, while in the process of downloading new mail, a second request for new mail is made.

The second request is often made by mail reader software's "auto-check" feature. The is especially true when your mail file is unusually large. This can be avoided simply by setting the mail reader software to not automatically check for mail.

This also may occur by manually checking for new mail while still in the process of downloading mail from a previous request for new mail -- For example, repeatedly clicking the "Get Mail" button.

Also, notably, when the Netscape Mail window is initially opened, a single request is made to get all new mail. Clicking the "Get Mail" button while this is first request is being processed causes the mailbox to be opened a second time. Viola! The "Kiss of Death."

In a Nutshell:

Disable your mail reader's "auto-check" feature.

Make a single request to get new mail

Wait for the process to complete

Avoid very large mail attachments

[Description by MHH and WeirNet, https://www.weir.net/]