Virus Picked Up Now Can Strike in 2000

A new computer virus, spread by e-mail, is programmed to erase hard drives once the year 2000 starts, security software companies said. The companies, which profit from selling antivirus software, said the new virus resembles the “Melissa” bug of March because it e-mails itself to 50 addresses stored in users’ Microsoft Corp. e-mail software. It will only erase data after Jan. 1, perhaps to fool users into believing they have a year 2000 computer problem, said Vincent Weafer, an antivirus expert with Cupertino, Calif.-based Symantec Corp. The new virus, called “W32/MyPics.worm,” arrives as an attachment to an e-mail with a message that says, “Here’s some pictures for you!” Once opened, the attachment appears to be empty but actually infects the computer and spreads again by sending itself to the addresses stored on the computer. The new virus also changes the user’s home page on Microsoft’s Web browser to a page containing pornography.