Exchange Server 2003: virus requires a rebuild... any suggestions?
I'm using exchange server 2003 standard sp2 on windows server 2003 sp1 standard running on a dell pe2850.
Problem is the server had a/v file scanning pretty much turned off and no a/v on the store, although I've done a virus scan of the store and found nothing.
Excuse the sarcasm but the next obvious statement is this: I've recently been the proud recipient of a virus on the server. It is now sending emails out as a hijacked spam server, and rbl's are blacklisting like crazy.
As a proficient Technology Manager I know better but the guy at my previous post wasn't exactly proficient.
I don't expect to save this build and I know the exchange server has to be reinstalled and the private/public stores reattached, but does anyone have a tutorial or step-by-step to complete this process?
I've found some information on doing a reinstall with the /DisasterRecovery option, but is that the best or only option, or are there other, better solutions. Unfortunately although I can manage exchange servers, I've never degraded them to the point of requiring a rebuild and thereby never done a rebuild of this nature.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Problem is the server had a/v file scanning pretty much turned off and no a/v on the store, although I've done a virus scan of the store and found nothing.
Excuse the sarcasm but the next obvious statement is this: I've recently been the proud recipient of a virus on the server. It is now sending emails out as a hijacked spam server, and rbl's are blacklisting like crazy.
As a proficient Technology Manager I know better but the guy at my previous post wasn't exactly proficient.
I don't expect to save this build and I know the exchange server has to be reinstalled and the private/public stores reattached, but does anyone have a tutorial or step-by-step to complete this process?
I've found some information on doing a reinstall with the /DisasterRecovery option, but is that the best or only option, or are there other, better solutions. Unfortunately although I can manage exchange servers, I've never degraded them to the point of requiring a rebuild and thereby never done a rebuild of this nature.
Any help would be much appreciated.
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Sembee, would you agree with Rakesh? Are there any steps or details you'd like to add?
Depends where the compromise is.
You could be bringing the infection across with the data.
I always like to verify what machine is compromised before doing anything. The simplest way to do that is block port 25 on the firewall, turn up logging and see where the traffic is coming from. Most cases it is not the Exchange server.
Simon.
You could be bringing the infection across with the data.
I always like to verify what machine is compromised before doing anything. The simplest way to do that is block port 25 on the firewall, turn up logging and see where the traffic is coming from. Most cases it is not the Exchange server.
Simon.
ASKER
Sembee,
Thanks but no thanks, I didn't ask for conceptual ideas on whether or not an exchange server needs antivirus.
Rakesh, I'm almost halfway done with your list. Thanks for the info.
Thanks but no thanks, I didn't ask for conceptual ideas on whether or not an exchange server needs antivirus.
Rakesh, I'm almost halfway done with your list. Thanks for the info.
Trojans don't just appear on the server. Unless you have been careless to browse to dodgy sites from the server itself then the chances of infection are quite slim. You need to have actual access to the server to install anything. If a hacker has got access to the server then you have bigger things to worry about.
Furthermore, I don't scan the information store on any of my clients servers. I don't see the need or the point. There is AV scanning on the workstations and I use a gateway product to deal with the virus messages as it comes in. Therefore the fact that you were not scanning your store does not means it was infected.
Therefore before you go destroying the Exchange server I would be sure that it is that actual machine that is infected. If you only have one IP address then any infected workstation on your network would get the IP address blacklisted.
Simon.