Security experts and systems administrators warn that all email attachments from unknown sources should be regarded with suspicion and that files with the VBS extension should never be opened. Virus detection software upgraded to detect the original 'Love-Bug' will not detect this new and no less destructive version. The results of this are the same as the LoveLetter virus but the code has been completely rewritten.

A new virus with the title 'Friend Message' and containing the file FRIEND_ is also in circulation. It is estimated that there are at least 10 new variants of the virus in circulation. One such new message has the subject heading 'Virus warning' and another is marked 'Mother's Day Order Confirmation.' The latter tells the recipient that $326.92 is being charged to his credit card for a 'diamond special' and urges him to review the attached invoice, which contains the virus. Since the original attack last week, the virus has continued to circulate in new and particularly dangerous variants calculated to cause the maximum damage. This program searches the victim's hard drive for password files and sends them to an Internet account in the Philippines, managed by Access Net Inc., an Internet service provider. The victim's Internet browser is directed by the virus to visit four web sites in the Philippines, where another malicious program called WIN-BUGSFIX.EXE is downloaded. The virus also deletes graphic files ending with the letters jpg or jpeg, and alters music files ending in mp3 to make them inaccessible. If this attachment is opened it will replicate itself and be transferred to all addresses within a user's email address book. The message contains the text 'kindly check the attached LOVELETTER from me' and an attached file called. The virus was originally distributed in an email with the subject line 'I love you'.

It is estimated that the so-called 'Love-Bug' email virus has caused some $10 billion in losses in as many as 20 countries.

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