Computer Virus
Computer viruses are electronic programs that destroy information on a computer or cause the computer to stop working.
Computer experts say the "I Love You" virus is one of the most dangerous they have ever seen.
It began spreading May Fourth and quickly attacked computers in more than twenty countries.
The experts say it may have caused as much as 10,000,000,000 dollars in destroyed information
and lost computer work time.
The virus got in each computer as electronic mail that appeared to be sent from a friend.
Its title was "I Love You."
When the computer user opened the message, the virus did several things.
First, it found the computer's address book and immediately mailed copies of itself to each computer address listed.
It destroyed electronic pictures kept in the computer's memory.
It also searched for secret words used to protect computer information and attempted to steal them.
The "I Love You" Virus quickly spread through computers used in governments and private businesses.
Electronic address books in these computers quickly sent copies of the virus to other government computer systems.
Business computers sent copies of the virus to other business computers.
Within days the "I Love You" virus had spread from computer to computer around the world.
Experts in computer crime are still investigating the incident.
They have followed electronic evidence to The Philippines where there are no laws against this kind of Computer activity.
It is a crime in many countries, but not in The Philippines.
International legal experts say new laws are needed that ban computer programs like the "I Love You" virus.
They say people who invent and spread harmful programs must be punished.
Computer experts say as many as 50,000 computer viruses may now exist.
These viruses spread very quickly on the Internet computer network.
Experts warn all computer users to be careful about what electronic mail they open,