DATE=5/6/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=COMPUTER VIRUS/PHILIPPINES (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262065
BYLINE=AMY BICKERS
DATELINE=MANILA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  Two Manila-based internet service providers 
are cooperating with police in an investigation of the 
so-called "Love Bug" computer virus.  As Amy Bickers 
reports from the Philippine capital, experts say the 
virus was activated from the Philippines, but they are 
unsure if the person responsible is actually in the 
country.


TEXT:  According to computer experts and officials of 
America's Federal Bureau of Investigation, the 
originator of what may be the most harmful computer 
virus ever has links to the Philippines.  The virus 
was apparently activated from a computer in the 
Philippines, although it is unclear if its creator was 
in the country at the time.

However, officials say the culprit left behind some 
clues -- e-mail addresses and the name Manila.  The e-
mail addresses were in turn linked to two Manila-based 
internet service providers, which are now helping 
police with their investigation.

According to news reports, F-B-I experts in the United 
States traced the electronic link to the Philippines, 
and then turned the information over to authorities 
here.  Police then seized computers believed to have 
been used to send the virus into cyberspace.

Authorities in both nations say they were able to 
identify the person who started the virus, thanks to 
clues within the text of the program.  According to 
officials in the United States, the suspect had 
previously told others about his ability to create the 
electronic bugs and infect computers.  So far, the 
virus has affected millions of computers around the 
world.  It is believed to be the fastest-moving and 
most harmful computer virus ever.

Computer experts continue to struggle with new strains 
of the so-called "Love Bug" virus that masquerades as 
a love note or other seemingly innocent messages.  It 
is threatening to cause chaos in computer networks 
around the globe ahead of Mother's Day in America and 
Europe next week.

This latest virus, like other before it, lures 
computer users to open a file.  But when they do, they 
accidentally contaminate their computers' memory 
system and destroy other files.  (SIGNED)

NEB/AB/JP




06-May-2000 11:58 AM EDT (06-May-2000 1558 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.