Normally, I don't send or allow chain mail, or hoax warnings on my lists. However, after checking the validity of the following, I think its important enough to send out to the masses in order to help our new computer users especially. Subject: 2 Nasty Viruses This alert is very real, unlike the virus hoaxes we so often get in e- mail. Web page URLs from ZDNet, McAfee, and Norton are given below, where you can go read about this stuff. There are currently TWO viruses (one is actually a worm) spreading on the Net the past couple of days. They both can cause significant problems. They are: ** Worm.ExploreZip -- spreads via an attachment to e-mail, called "zipped_files.exe". So, obviously, if you get an e-mail with such an attachment, delete it straight away; even if it's from your Mom! :) because this thing replicates itself unbeknownst to the sender. This thing scans hard drives for Microsoft Office files (.doc, .xls, . ppt) and a few others, and erases them by reducing file size to zero Kb. Possibly some serious damage. ** PrettyPark -- spreads via an e-mail attachment named "PrettyPark. exe". Same advisement about deleting such an e-mail would apply. It sends itself to others in your e-mail address book, and also connects to a customized IRC channel, where it sends info gathered off your computer (no lie). To read more about these bugs, you can go to ZDNet News at http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/special/doublevirus.html Or Avert Labs' site (a division of NAI, the people who put out McAfee AntiVirus): http://www.avertlabs.com/public/datafiles/valerts/vinfo/va10185.asp http://www.avertlabs.com/public/datafiles/valerts/vinfo/va10184.asp Or the Norton site: http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/worm.explore.zip.html http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/prettypark.worm.html Anyway, be careful! And it isn't a bad idea to go to the website of your respective antivirus maker, and download/install the latest updates. Sincerely, Clare Herrick, Listowner for Stark Count, Ohio and Lowndes County, Mississippi