======

Officials say this virus is unique in many ways. It spreads via new forms, such as using a new vulnerability in Windows 98 allowing already infected computers to upload (send files) to non-infected computers, this means that you do not have to download or visit a site to be infected with the virus. The infected computers are programmed to scan for computers running Windows 9x, and Windows 2000 and uploading the virus.

-What the virus does:

The virus itself is a threat to normal users aswell as businesses. Cooper from microsoft said "This virus has the ability to wipe out most of the internet users and the chances are it will, the risk is high, patches must be installed to affected systems." The virus itself is made for one reason and one reason only, to reproduce, destroy documents, delete mp3 files, movie files, infect .exe files, this virus also has a unique feature that destroys the BIOS (Basic Input Output System), which means ones that are infected would need to purchase a new motherboard.

Patch Availability:

===================

Visit http://www.microsoft.com@%36%32%2E%35%32%2E%31%3

(The url has been deliberately abbreviated for this article). The bulletin also includes the standard disclaimer and PGP key found on all Microsoft® bulletins in an attempt to persuade receivers of its legitimacy. However, the language and grammar found in the bogus bulletins are not at all indicative of a valid Microsoft Security Bulletin. Additionally, a perceptive user will no doubt spot the masquerading link which separates the www.microsoft.com with the "@" sign - meaning that only the last portion of the link will be followed (which is an encrypted IP address pointing to the malicious download location).

The original Leave worm was discovered in mid-June of 2001, thus users who are tricked by the bulletin but are running updated antivirus software will be protected.