A new version of the Zafi e-mail worm is spreading seasonal greetings along with its destructive code, according to antivirus software companies.

Zafi.D is a mass-mailing worm that arrives in a Zip file attached to e-mail messages with the subject “Merry Christmas”. Instead of a gift, however, the e-mail package delivers worm code that infects Windows systems on which it is opened.

Antivirus companies have issued warnings about the new worm and updated antivirus signatures to stop the new threat. A lot of companies will be shutting down over the Christmas period, but IT departments are being warned to make sure they have the latest updates. It is a good idea to set machines up for automatic updates over Christmas and load all the latest patches they say.

Figures from an IT security firm have shown that in 2004 one e-mail in every 16 contained destructive code, compared to one in 33 in 2003. The most widespread outbreak of the year was W32/MyDoom.A in January. However, the most active virus is thought to be Netsky-P, which accounted for almost a quarter of all virus incidents reported.

The mass-mailing Netsky-P and Zafi.B worms have been battling it out for the top spot for most of the second half of the year, and Internet worm Sasser disrupted thousands of businesses and home users in May.

So be warned Zafi.D is on the loose and coming to an inbox near you! Make sure you take the neccessary precatuions over the Christams Period and get the latest updates for your Antivirus Software! Here are a few links to get you started:

McAfee Antivirus Updates

Symantec Antivirus Updates

IT Managers See Christmas as a Chore

Many IT directors think that office parties are hard work, disruptive and dull and reject traditional ways of marking the season's celebrations with colleagues! According to a survey of 467 IT directors by the Chartered Management Institute.

Less than half of those questioned had an office party, which is below the national average of 61%. One in 10 suggested the reason is a lack of enthusiasm, another 35% said Christmas celebrations at work are a chore and less than half actually enjoy work festivities!

Up to 41% complained that seasonal activities created problems of availability as colleagues or clients were inaccessible. A further 41% said the Christmas season is disruptive, only 17% wanted to entertain key business contacts and few believed the festivities boosted morale!

A mere 3% said they give gifts to colleagues. Secret Santa will also be climbing down fewer IT office chimneys this year, with only two IT managers out of 10 running mystery gift schemes.

But the results showed that although cynicism towards festivities in the workplace is prevalent among IT managers, they choose not to reject Christmas completely.

Up to 74% see the festive period as a time to re-charge their batteries and 44% said it was a chance to see friends and family - think we'll go with this thought!

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