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Microsoft Warns About 'Worm' Virus
By Associated Press

August 3, 2003, 11:46 AM EDT

SEATTLE -- Microsoft Corp. is warning its customers about a computer
worm that exploits a flaw in its Internet Explorer browser. 

A security bulletin on the company's Web site says Microsoft started
investigating a "mass mailer worm," dubbed W32/Mimail(at)MM, late Friday
morning. 

The worm spreads through e-mail if recipients open an attached zip file
-- used to condense information so it can move faster over the Internet
-- then open an HTML file inside the zip file, the bulletin said. 

The worm exploits a vulnerability the company addressed in a security
bulletin issued April 23, the bulletin said. 

On Saturday, Microsoft spokesman Sean Sundwall downplayed the worm's
potential to cause major security problems. 

If someone opens the e-mail, the zip file and the HTML file, the virus
is sent to all e-mail addresses the worm finds on that computer,
Sundwall said. 

"The damage is simply an annoying e-mail," Sundwall said. 

Microsoft's Web site directs customers to a security patch designed to
fix the problem. 

* __ 

On the Net: 

Microsoft: www.microsoft.com/security 
Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press

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