DATE=5/19/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=NEW VIRUS (L)
NUMBER=2-262571
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Computer experts report still another
electronic virus attacking computers around the world.
This rogue computer program is said to be more
destructive than the recent "Love Bug" virus, but
seems to be spreading more slowly. V-O-A's Jim Randle
reports from Washington.
TEXT: U-S Government computer security experts say the
latest virus sends an electronic, or e-mail message
with an attached file.
The attachment contains a program that, once opened,
takes over the victim's e-mail address book, makes
hundreds of copies of itself and then sends them to
everyone in the address book. It also erases almost
all of the data and programs on the victims' computer
/// BEGIN OPT ///
These destructive computer programs are called
"viruses" because their actions resemble the attacks
made by real viruses on cells in humans or animals.
Real viruses hijack cells and force them to make
copies of virus instead of making copies of
themselves.
/// END OPT ///
U-S Attorney General Janet Reno says the "new-love-
dot-v-b-s" virus is particularly nasty because it
automatically changes its name every time it attacks.
/// RENO ACT ///
This new version can change the subject line and
the program code every time it is re-
transmitted. This makes the virus more
difficult for users and anti-virus programs to
detect. The "worm" (the destructive part of the
computer virus) is transmitted when a user opens
an e-mail attachment.
/// END ACT ///
Attorney General Reno says the F-B-I (Federal Bureau
of Investigation) is searching for the person who
wrote the destructive computer program and hopes to
make an arrest.
In the meantime, she says users can protect themselves
by looking carefully at e-mail -- even messages that
appear to be from friends and colleagues.
//// RENO ACT ///
If you receive an e-mail with a "dot v-b-s" file
extension, do not open it. Even if it comes
from a trusted source. Delete the e-mail from
your system.
/// END ACT ///
The new virus seems to be spreading via the Microsoft
Corporation's Outlook software program.
The head of the F-B-I's computer crimes unit, Michael
Vatis, says this virus seems to have "evolved" from
the recent "Love-bug" virus that recently caused
several billion dollars in damage to computers around
the world. He says computer programmers bent on
mischief -- hackers in computer parlance -- took the
Love-bug's relatively simple codes and made them more
destructive and harder to detect.
He says various kinds of computer-assisted crime are
on the rise and there are about 50-thousand computer
viruses already "out in the wild" with 20 or 30 new
ones appearing daily.
Mr. Vatis says fortunately, the vast majority of such
rogue programs are unable to cause major problems.
/// REST OPT ///
Computer users can get more information on computer
viruses by contacting http://www-dot-f-b-i-dot-gov and
http://www-dot-cert-org. (Signed)
NEB/JR/JP
19-May-2000 15:08 PM EDT (19-May-2000 1908 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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