"LOVSAN" COMPUTER VIRUS ATTACK

[via Drudge]
According to Newsday.com, tens of thousands of computers have been incapacitated due to an Internet-borne infection.

The virus-like worm called "LovSan" or "Blaster" strikes as workers log on with no need for user intervention.

The worm was first reported in the United States on Monday and, while appearing not to delete files or otherwise incur permanent damage, knocked many computers offline. Non-Microsoft systems were not vulnerable.

Computers infected by LovSan were programmed to automatically launch an attack Saturday on windowsupdate.com, a Web site Microsoft uses to avail customers of software patches that can prevent such infections.

The infection was dubbed "LovSan" because of a love note left behind on vulnerable computers: "I just want to say LOVE YOU SAN!" Researchers also discovered another message hidden inside the infection that appeared to taunt Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates: "billy gates why do you make this possible? Stop making money and fix your software!"

A free patch is available on the Microsoft website to protect Windows users.