The Pokey Virus

The Pokey Virus, initially discovered in June 2000, is named for the popular cartoon Pokemon. The virus appears as an attachment to an email. The attachment is an executable file with an icon depicting the Pokemon character, Pikachu.

When a recipient double-clicks on the Pikachu icon, the virus initiates. An animation of the Pikachu character will appear, and, like the I Love You virus, the Pokey virus attempts to mail copies of itself to all addresses in the Microsoft Outlook/Outlook Express address book. Additionally, the virus modifies the Autoexec.bat file so that on shut down and restart, all files in the Windows and Windows/system directories will be deleted. The virus is obviously being targeted toward younger users, who may be less virus-aware and more likely to execute the Pokemon-based attachment.

Here are some additional details regarding this virus:

• The subject of the infected email is: Pikachu Pokemon
• The body of the email reads:

  Great Friend!
  Pikachu from Pokemon Theme have some friendly words to say.
  Visit Pikachu at http://www.pikachu.com
  See you.

• The email's attachment is named: pikachupokemon.exe
• When the attachment is executed, an animation appears featuring Pikachu and the following message:

  Between millions of people around the world I found you. Don't forget to remember this day every time MY FRIEND!
  Visit us at http://www.pikachu.com