New Netsky.B worm spreading on Internet

A new worm called "Netsky.B" emerged on the Internet Wednesday, spreading by mimicking familiar e-mail addresses and enticing users to open file attachments containing malicious software, security experts said.

Most computer security companies rated the worm a medium-grade threat, describing it more of an annoyance rather than a malicious virus that destroys files or makes computer vulnerable to attacks.

"It’s a very low infection rate virus," said David Perry, global education director at Trend Micro, adding that newer, more infectious versions could be in the pipeline.

The worm, once activated, forwards itself to e-mail addresses found on an infected computer’s hard drive.

Netsky.B usually arrives in e-mail boxes appearing as e-mail from a familiar person with an attachment that appears to be a Microsoft Word document with the words "read it immediately" or "something for you" making it tricky to identify.

Anti-virus software and services provider Network Associates said the worm’s activity appeared to be concentrated in Europe, particularly the Netherlands.

Both businesses and consumers were being hit by the fast-spreading worm.

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Copyright 2004 Reuters Limited.