DATE=4/2/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247581
TITLE=MELISSA VIRUS (S ONLY)
BYLINE=JOE CHAPMAN
DATELINE=NEW YORK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A NEW JERSEY MAN WAS CHARGED TODAY (FRIDAY) WITH
ORIGINATING A MALICIOUS COMPUTER VIRUS THAT INFECTED TENS OF
THOUSANDS OF COMPUTERS AROUND THE WORLD WITH LINKS TO
PORNOGRAPHIC WEB SITES. VOA'S JOE CHAPMAN REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.
TEXT: NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY GENERAL PETER VERNIERO SAYS DAVID SMITH
IS CHARGED WITH INTERFERING WITH PUBLIC COMMUNICATION IN
SPREADING THE VIRUS KNOW AS MELISSA. NOW FREE ON BAIL, HE COULD
FACE AS MUCH AS FIVE TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON AND A FINE OF UP TO
150-THOUSAND DOLLARS.
BUT ATTORNEY GENERAL VERNIERO SAYS THE 30-YEAR-OLD COMPUTER
EXPERT APPARENTLY DID NOT WISH TO DO ANY REAL DAMAGE TO INTERNET
USERS WHO DOWNLOADED THE VIRUS.
///VENIERO ACT///
THE MOTIVE WAS SIMPLY A ZEAL TOSEE IF HE COULD ACHIEVE
WHAT HE HAS IN FACT ACHIEVED.
///END ACT///
INTERNET USERS WERE STARTLED TO FIND THE VIRUS EXTRACTING E-MAIL
ADDRESSES FROM THEIR COMPUTERS, THEN SPREADING THE LIST OF
PORNOGRAPHIC SITES TO THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL USERS. WHERE DID IT
GET THE NAME, MELISSA? APPARENTLY FROM A TOPLESS BARROOM DANCER
IN FLORIDA WHERE SMITH ONCE LIVED. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/JMC/LSF
02-Apr-99 4:46 PM EST (2146 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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