CERT Compares Virus To 'Melissa'

System Upgrades Advised

PITTSBURGH, Updated 7:41 a.m. EDT May 5, 2000 -- Officials from the CERT Coordination Center, the government-chartered computer security team in Pittsburgh, said the "I Love You" virus appears to be in the same class as "Melissa," the e-mail virus that crippled computer systems around the world about a year ago.

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CERT spokesman Shawn Hernan discusses the 'I Love You' virus.

According to Cathy Fithen, manager of Pittsburgh-based CERT coordination center, the virus is spread via e-mail, Web pages, LAN network connections and IRC. The virus copies a file, replaces it and deletes the original. It infects and spreads further through address books.

She said that computer-users are advised to update their anti-virus software. She advised that system administrators and users in general log on to www.cert.org and follow the prompts to disable the scripting.

Other tips include avoid the sharing of files and don't open anything that is unknown.

This virus will be spread via e-mails from people that you do and do not know, she said.

"It's spreading as fast as Melissa," said Fithen. She said that it was first reported at 5 a.m. Thursday. As of 11 a.m., the virus had affected 200,000 hosts worldwide

"The script itself will overwrite a number of files. It sets the homepage to download an executable file, but it's unclear what the executable file will do," said CERT spokesman Shawn Hernan. "If you have important files overwritten, they're gone. If you unleash it on your home computer, hope that you have backups."

The executable file launches a program that CERT does not possess a copy of. CERT officials are unsure of the damage that it can do.

It's unknown how long it will take to clean up the virus. It's source is unknown, although there have been reports that it originated in Manila, Phillippines.

The extent of monetary damage is unknown.

"There is a risk of a secondary infection spreading out over weeks and months," said Hernan.

On Thursday, the Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County District Attorney's Office have shut down their internet systems. Among agencies reporting problems were the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, Mellon Bank and Allegheny General Hospital.

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