'Love Bug' takes on the world

Millions of computers affected by insidious virus

May 5, 2000
Web posted at: 4:56 p.m. EDT (2356 GMT)

ATLANTA -- The virus's victims were as varied as they were frustrated after hours of battling a pervasive little computer program that tied up systems around the world on Thursday.

And now, "Love Bug" copycats threaten to keep the cycle going even before the original infection is completely eradicated.

Although the "ILOVEYOU" virus originated in Asia, four key countries -- Japan, South Korea, China and Thailand -- may not have fully felt the brunt of the infection. Markets in all four nations were closed for holidays and won't reopen until next week.

VIDEO San Francisco Bureau Chief Greg Lefevre speaks with Network Associates president Peter Watkins about the 'ILOVEYOU' virus. QuickTime Play Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K     ALSO Internet provider in Philippines homes in on virus author 'I Love You' virus sweeps the U.S. Experts say more legislation will not deter computer hackers 'Love Bug' apparently flew out of Asia     MESSAGE BOARD Internet insurgency     QUICKVOTE How many 'ILOVEYOU' e-mails did you get? None 0-20 20-40 More than 40 View Results

New Zealand and Australia felt the virus' symptoms, however. Two governmental ministries in New Zealand were hit by what Acting Communications Minister Trevor Mallard called "the most serious, the most severe computer virus" to come to the Pacific island nation.

Companies in Australia closed down their email systems to keep the virus from spreading, and one of Australia's biggest email providers, OzEmail, was getting three variants of the virus, which sends itself out to addresses in a victim's Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express address book.

The virus also destroys certain files, particularly .jpg picture files and .mp3 music files.

The bug raced through companies in Taiwan and Hong Kong -- including Dow Jones Newswires and the Asian Wall Street Journal -- as well.

Lithuanian 'love bug' issues invitation for coffee

As Thursday wore on, the virus crept around the globe, spreading to more computers as business people began their days by checking their email.

The Parliaments of Britain and Denmark, a Norwegian photo agency and Danish telecommunications companies were among the victims as the bug spread faster than any other computer virus.

In Italy, the outbreak spread over the entire country but seemed heaviest in the central north. In the capital, Rome, the computers of the United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization were hit, but spokesman John Riddle said the organization had not determined the extent of the damage.

And in Lithuania, officials were investigating whether one of the coypcat viruses originated in the former Soviet republic.

One variation is called "Susitikem," which means "Let's meet" in Lithuanian. Its subject line reads "Susitikem shi vakara kavos puodukui," meaning "Let's meet this evening for coffee."

Reuters contributed to this report.

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