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To: Sam who wrote (1818)	6/11/1999 2:48:00 AM
From: LK2	Respond to of 2025

New virus for PCs. More malicious than Melissa, this one can destroy files. >>>>>>> The infected message says: ''I received your email and I shall send you a reply ASAP. Till then, take a look at the attached zipped docs.'' A user's computer becomes infected once he or she clicks on the attachment. <<<<<<< For Personal Use Only bloomberg.com >>>>>>> Top Financial News Fri, 11 Jun 1999, 2:35am EDT E-Mail Virus Strikes Microsoft, GE, Boeing, Destroying Computer Files By Greg Chang and John Shinal E-mail Virus Deleting PC Files in Several Countries (Update3) (Adds details throughout.) San Francisco, June 10 (Bloomberg) -- A new computer virus that spreads through e-mail has deleted files on computers at companies such as General Electric Co., Boeing Co., Southern Co. and Credit Suisse First Boston, in the latest in a series of e- mail borne viruses. The virus was first spotted Monday morning in Israel and has wiped out documents on computers there and in the U.S., Germany, France and the Czech Republic, computer security experts said. The virus, which is contained in an e-mail attachment, spreads by using e-mail addresses stored in Microsoft Corp.'s e-mail programs Outlook, Outlook Express and Exchange. It only affects users with the Microsoft Windows operating system. An infected computer will automatically send e-mail messages to addresses on messages in the user's in box. The infected e- mail comes with an attachment that, if opened, infiltrates the recipient's e-mail software and deletes random files. Three months ago a similar bug spread through e-mail known as Melissa disabled computers around the world, though this virus is seen as much more virulent because it will erase information and data. ''These kinds of outbreaks are becoming a fact of life,'' said Ted Julian, an analyst with market researcher Forrester Research. ''They're likely to get more frequent than less.'' The virus erases random files written on Microsoft programs including word processing, spreadsheets and software used to create corporate presentations. ''That's a pretty nasty thing for people to target,'' said Roger Thompson, director of malicious code research for computer security company ICSA Inc. ''That's your work that they are after. If you don't have back-ups, they are gone.'' Damage Reports The virus, named Worm.ExploreZip, will also delete files stored on computer networks connected to infected computers. Users with any type of e-mail software can be infected, though the virus only spreads by e-mailing itself from an infected computer that has Microsoft's e-mail programs. The virus has inflicted the worst computer damage in recent memory at airplane maker Boeing, a spokesman said. The company is shutting down its e-mail system, which serves 150,000 users. The virus ''made it look like you knew who it was coming from,'' GE spokeswoman Pam Wickham said. The company earlier today installed updated anti-virus software and stemmed the damage, she said. The infected message says: ''I received your email and I shall send you a reply ASAP. Till then, take a look at the attached zipped docs.'' A user's computer becomes infected once he or she clicks on the attachment. Computer security experts are still unsure of the extent of the damage, as they continue to handle calls from clients. ''A number of large companies with names you'd recognize have seen the worm and are tracking it on their systems,'' said Wes Wasson, a product-marketing director with No. 1 anti-virus software Network Associates. Other security software companies are also recording damage reports. Symantec Corp. said at least 10 U.S. clients have been infected and Trend Micro Inc. said more than five of its clients were affected. The companies declined to name those who have been infected. ''We don't know how fast she's spreading yet,'' Trend Micro spokeswoman Susan Orbuch said. ''It hasn't been as crazy as when the Melissa virus came around, but this virus is much more dangerous.'' The virus, written in a computer language called Delphi, will also erase files written in the programming language C++. Delphi programmers are often rivals to those who write in C++, Thompson said. Computer experts say Worm.ExploreZip is technically a worm rather than a virus because it doesn't replicate itself on a single computer the way a virus does. Microsoft officials weren't immediately available to comment. ©1999 Bloomberg L.P. All rights reserved. Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Trademarks. <<<<<<<