Capitalizing on our unrelenting interest in the World Trade Center attacks and the War on Terrorism, virus creators have created what is known as the Vote virus. Posing as a file with which you can 'vote' for peace, this file will actually delete important files from your Windows system directory.

Then it will:

• Replace all web pages on your hard drive with a new web page saying "America...few days will show you what we can do!!! It's our turn >>> Zacker is so sorry for you".
• Send itself to all addresses in your address book.
• Upon reboot, it will attempt to reformat your C: drive, which will eliminate all files on that drive - making your system inoperable and probably removing important data files.

Recognizing the virus

• Subject: Fwd: Peace Between America And Islam
• Body: Hi! Is it a War Against America Or Islam! Let's Vote To Live in Peace!
• Attachment: WTC.EXE

The capitalization in the message you receive may be incorrect.

If you receive this message, do not open the attachment under any circumstance!

As of this writing, the Anti-virus software vendors are working on fixes for the Vote Virus.

• Do not open attachments to email messages that you are not expecting - even if they are from trusted people. (Remember, this worm and others spread by mailing themselves to people known by the person who owns the infected system.)
• Upgrade Internet Explorer by installing the security patch.
• Upgrade Outlook by installing the Outlook 98 or Outlook 2000 security patch.
• Upgrade your anti-virus software often with the latest virus definition file (also known as signature file).
• Scan your system regularly with your anti-virus software. Enable auto-protect mode whenever possible.

  As always, we will continue to help alert you to virus threats - both in this anti-virus section and via email, through our Insider TipLetter. Subscribe here. (Free)