Nimda virus: Computer Worm Called More Potent Than Predecessors

A rogue computer program has been copying itself from computer to computer since Tuesday morning, causing slowdowns for many Internet users as it grabs network bandwidth and individual computers' system resources. The "Nimda" worm spreads by sending infected e-mails that carry an attachment labeled "readme.exe." Do not open any e-mails with suspicious ".exe" attachments. The worm also propagates by infiltrating unsecured Web sites and attaching itself to an unsuspecting computer user's Web browser, IT officials said. Its target is personal computers and Microsoft computer servers, making it a more malicious and versatile strain than the similar "Code Red" worm that surfaced in July and August.