A virus masquerading as a year 2000 countdown program is created an online e-mail hazard.

The Trojan Horse virus comes as an attachment in an e-mail that appears to be sent by Microsoft.

If users attempt to open the phony program, the virus can install itself onto the user's computer and begin sending data and information from that system across the Internet.

The e-mail attachment, called "Y2Kcount.exe," originated in Bulgaria. Virus experts says it is similar to the ExploreZip virus that decimated corporate e-mail systems several months ago.

The complete story is online at www.techweb.com .