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)
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Source: Voice of America
.