BUBBLEBOY
VIRAL WARNING Warning of a new email virus that can attack even if you don't open the infected email or its attachment. The "Bubbleboy" virus is a worm which sends out copies of itself, similar to the destructive "Melissa" virus earlier this year. In its current form, the virus does not harm a machine by deleting files or stealing passwords. Bubbleboy appears as an email with the subject line "Bubbleboy is Back!" and contains pictures and sounds from the Seinfeld TV episode featuring the Bubbleboy character. What's a worry is the virus can attack people who are reading email through the "Preview Pane" feature in Microsoft Outlook, even if they don't open the email or attachment. Which is why future strains of the virus could do more damage than previous viruses. Other email programs such as Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes are also vulnerable. Network Associates has given the virus a "low risk" rating for now because it does not appear to be widespread.
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