Virus watchers sound alarm over Wscript.Kak

A computer security firm has issued an alert for a new script virus that spreads via Microsoft Windows 98 and Outlook Express 5.0 e-mail.

Computer Associates International says the risk of the Wscript.Kak worm is fairly low, since it is not self-propagating and does not appear to do any damage to systems.

The virus, which spreads itself by attaching a copy of the virus onto every e-mail that a users sends, will apparently infect any system with Internet Explorer security settings set at low or medium. However, those that have the scripting option turned off - a move recommended after the appearance of the BubbleBoy virus two months ago - will not be infected.

More details are available at www.zdnn.com.