The Love Bug

It started with an "ILOVEYOU" e-mail greeting. By the time computer experts sent out an alarm, the virus dubbed the "Love Bug" had infected up to 2.9 million computers around the world. The latest virus to wreak havoc in cyberspace penetrated computer systems in the White House, Pentagon, Central Intelligence Agency, US Congress, parliaments in Britain and Denmark, brokerages and major companies. Up to 80 percent of computers in Germany and 70 percent in the United Kingdom were reportedly affected. The Love Bug is said to be the worst computer virus ever, with millions or even billions of dollars needed to repair the damage.

The virus created a particular stir in low-tech Philippines following reports that the Love Bug was launched from two e-mail addresses in Manila -- a detail that was indicated in the words "Manila, Philippines" that were in the e-mail's "Love Letter" attachment. A local Internet provider, Access Net Inc., said the most likely source was somewhere in Pandacan. While the company disabled the two addresses, it could not trace the owner of the pre-paid accounts, who could be based anywhere in the world.

It's not the first time that hackers unleashed a virus that raced across the world, crashing systems and zapping files. What's worrying computer experts is that the Love Bug was a relatively simple virus that penetrated even sophisticated anti-hacker systems. The world spends a substantial amount for technology that's supposed to keep out hackers. Still, viruses manage to sneak in. Last year, the "Melissa" virus spread in the United States. After an attack on the CNN website in February, a 15-year-old Canadian hacker was arrested.

Even before the Love Bug hacker can be caught, the virus has already produced a variant, this time using the word "Joke" to invite users to open the e-mail. Joke-crazy Filipinos may be unable to resist this one. Teenage hackers, viruses that can infect the world and crash sophisticated systems in a matter of hours. The Love Bug's bite once again raises concerns about how vulnerable this wired world has become.