Update May 9th 00:

VIRUS SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE (Excerpt from Netscape news feed).

"The ``Love Bug'' is the most virulent computer bug ever created. Upon opening an attachment using Microsoft software such as the Outlook program, it sends a copy of the virus to everyone in the user's address book and seeks to destroy a variety of files throughout a computer network, including picture and music files.

The latest variants on the virus include tainted messages with subject lines such as Dangerous Virus Warning; Virus ALERT; How To Protect Yourself From The ILOVEYOU Bug; and >b>Thank You For Flying With Arab Airlines. "

You are probably already aware of the earlier mutation disguised as a Mother's Day gift invoice, usually for some jewelry "special"; the attachment, presented as the invoice, is actually the Visual Basic script which runs the virus.

Having spent over five hours cleaning up the mess this virus caused on one machine, you lasses and laddies, take warning from me -- don't open attachments that were built in V.B.

Norton AntiVirus software can now be updated to include Lovebug in its scans, and the definition updater can be downloaded from the Symantec site. Likewise for McAffee antiviral packages.

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