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To: Jim Willie CB who wrote (53090)	12/8/1999 10:39:00 AM
From: T L Comiskey	Respond to of 152472

Jim...<.Windows Cleaner ?> Mutating Virus Spreads Very Destructive, Comes Disguised as Y2K Fix By Anick Jesdanun The Associated Press N E W Y O R K, Dec. 7 ? Computer security experts warned today of a new, first-of-its-kind virus that can update itself with potentially malicious instructions from a Web site in Japan. This virus primarily affects home computers and spreads through Microsoft software used for chat rooms. The virus, W95.Babylonia, comes disguised as a Y2K fix, making it the sixth known virus preying on the Year 2000 glitch. David Perry, director of public education at Trend Micro Inc., identified the virus?s most worrisome aspect as its ability ?to add new capabilities as it rolls along.? Someone Else Gains Control The virus writer can effectively control the infected computer remotely. ?There?s nothing else even close to it,? said Vince Gullotto, director of Network Associates? anti-virus research team. Anti-virus experts worked to identify the specific commands for the virus, aware these could include erasing files and grabbing sensitive information. Beware of Chat Rooms Trend Micro and other makers of anti-virus software reiterated warnings against accepting unsolicited files and urged computer users to update virus-detection software. But because this virus spreads through chat rooms, users should turn off any auto-download features. When an infected user logs on to a chat room using MIRC chat software, the virus gets sent as a Y2K bug fix to anyone else in that chat room. If the user accepts the software, the virus will install itself and later obtain several files from Japan. Those files, in turn, carry instructions affecting the user?s computer. Vincent Weafer, anti-virus research director at Symantec Corp., said the virus can spread by e-mail as well, though home e-mail use is not as heavy as that of businesses. Thus, he said, this virus is not likely to spread as quickly as other viruses.