However, reports suggest that the virus can also download itself through the browser of anyone who visits a web site hosted by an infected server, unless the user’s browser has security against infection. If infected, the victim computer will unwittingly e-mail the virus to everyone in its contacts book.
US Attorney General John Ashcroft has stated that this new virus may be “heavier” than the Code Red virus, which cost the computer industry an estimated $2.4 billion. Experts caution that they do not yet know exactly what harm is caused by the virus, other than attempting to overload unsecure networks. Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows NT operating systems appear to be at risk.