Yahoo E-mail Worm Contained

Yahoo Inc., announced Tuesday they have contained a malicious program aimed at the millions of people who use its e-mail service. The worm, dubbed "Yamanner," infected a recipient's computer as soon as the toxic e-mail was opened. It then scanned contact lists for additional targets, according to security software maker Symantec Corp. As a precaution against variations on the Yamanner worm, Yahoo advised its e-mail users to update their antivirus programs % block all incoming correspondence from av3@yahoo.com.

The worm arrived in the form of an e-mail containing JavaScript % contains the words "New Graphic Site" in the subject field, according to Symantec, the maker of Norton antivirus software.

Unlike many worms that require an attachment to be opened, the latest bug was unleashed as soon as the e-mail was opened. It burrowed into e-mail contact lists in search of addresses containing the domains yahoo.com & yahoogroups.com, according to Symantec.