Details From AP
Hatch Calls Virus Wake Up Call

May 4, 2000

From London to Washington D.C., to Utah. A computer virus is sweeping the globe, causing big financial losses for scores of companies and inconveniencing millions of home computer users.

STEVE TRILLING/ NORTON ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE: "I WOULD SAY BY THE TIME WE'RE DONE - SOMETHING WELL OVER A MILLION COMPUTERS MAY WELL HAVE BEEN HIT."

A year ago it was Melissa. Now it is the so-called Love Bug.

News Specialist Scott Light reports from the University of Utah where the vicious virus struck this morning.

It's been an interesting day to watch this thing. This morning we called and checked around and didn't hear much.

By this afternoon, the University of Utah, Dugway Proving Ground and Utah state departments all reported problems with the 'Love Bug.'

Lucky for Dr. Liz Tashjian that she checked her voice mail Thursday morning before her e-mail.

Dr. Liz Tashjian/Univ. of Utah Finance Professor: "AND THE VERY FIRST ITEM ON THERE WAS A BROADCAST MESSAGE SAYING WATCH OUT FOR THIS TERRIBLE VIRUS."

That terrible virus started in Europe and Asia, hitting Britain's House of Commons and the Wall Street Journal Asian operations, just to name a few.

Then, a sweep of the states. One of the first big stops was the state of Florida's e-mail system. Then the virus got to Congress, including Senator Hatch's office.

Christopher Rosche/Communications Dir. for Sen. Hatch: "A MESSAGE WENT OUT TO ALL PEOPLE ON SENATOR HATCH'S STAFF AND THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WARNING THEM THERE WAS A VIRUS THAT ATTACKED PART OF THE SENATE'S INTERNET SYSTEM."

It wasn't long after everyone arrived at the Utah department of community and economic development that the Love Bug bit there.

Michael Allred/Dept. of Communications & Econ. Development: "WE MOBILIZED OUR WHOLE TEAM TO FIGURE OUT WHO HAD IT AND WHO DIDN'T."

Only a few computers did have it, but about 350 computers had to be shut down to fully check the system. That included state divisions of fine arts, libraries, community development, state history and division of travel.

Michael Allred explains what the virus does to computers.

"'REPLICATES ITSELF THROUGH E-MAIL MEANING IF YOU GET THE E-MAIL, OPEN IT, YOU AUTOMATICALLY SEND IT TO EVERYBODY IN THE ADDRESS BOOK."

That's what it does. Now how can you protect yourself?

If you see "I Love You" in the subject line of your e-mail, delete the message immediately. Don't open any attachments either.