'Stages' computer virus hits Japan

The Associated Press

TOKYO (August 3, 2000 8:41 a.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) - A computer virus that causes e-mail servers to malfunction has found its way from the United States to Japan, with more than 200 cases reported in July, a government-affiliated organization said Thursday.

The virus, called "Stages," invades address books in Microsoft Outlook programs through an attachment labeled Life-Stages.txt.shs, said Fumio Kidani, an official at the Information Technology Promotion Agency.

When opened, the virus spreads to up to 100 e-mail addresses, Kidani said.

Kidani said 11 cases of the virus were reported in June and 245 in July, the most in a single month in Japan since 346 cases of the "I Love You" virus were reported in May, Kidani said.

The "Love Bug" virus, which deleted computer files worldwide, caused billions of dollars in damage.

So far, Kidani said there have been no reports of damage in Japan from the "Stages" virus.

Computer users should delete the mail to prevent the virus from spreading, though it does not affect files on a hard drive, he said.

http://www.newshub.com/cgibin/rd.cgi?10174936

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), August 03, 2000