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
.