If you use Outlook or Outlook Express to send and receive email - please read the information below.

Our computer here at Anytime/Anywhere Studios was infected with a 'KAK Worm' virus, and we just got rid of it. If we had correspondence between 8/31/00 and 9/8/00, there's a chance that the virus sent itself to you along with one of my messages. If that is the case, please accept my deepest apologies... fortunately the virus is more of a pain in the ass than harmful, and it can be easily removed.

The virus works by exploiting the "Typelib.scriptlet/Eyedog" vulnerability. This vulnerability makes it possible for malicious web sites, HTML mails, or programs to use an ActiveX control to make changes to a user's system without his permission. The virus uses this vulnerability to infect the computer and ensure that copies of itself will be sent with future outgoing mails.

If you are comfortable with your anti-virus software, i encourage you to scan your drives now.

If not, try this:

-go to http://www.avp.com and click 'trial versions'
-download their anti-virus toolkit. it's free
-once it's installed, choose your C: or main drives and run 'scan'
-that will let you know if there are any infections
-if you do have infected files, be sure to write down the FULL FILE NAME, you may need that info to remove the virus

-if your computer is infected, you can do a few different things:

-start with http://www.symantec.com they have a free,quick and easy download to remove the virus that works in many, but not all cases

-------------or---

http://www.cai.com/virusinfo/encyclopedia/descriptions/vcleaner.htm - this is another program that will help clean your system of this virus

-------------or---

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/wscript.kakworm.fix.html. - another file to help clean your system

------------or--- if none of the above work, try this:

-use the 'windows explorer' program off the 'start' button in the bottom left corner of your screen to find the infected files indicated by the AVP SCANNER

-when you find them, RIGHT CLICK and click PROPERTIES and UNCHECK THE 'HIDDEN FILE' box
-exit windows using the 'restart in DOS' option
-type: 'del' leave a space, and then the file name (example: KAK.htm or of it's in a windows sub directory, like this: WINDOWS\SYSTEM\3056F420.hta)
-that should do it.

>>>>>> after running any of the above fixes, be sure to re-run the AVP scan, to verify that all the virus files have been removed.

>>>>>>After removing the virus be sure to go to:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/ms99-032.asp Here you'll be able to download a patch that will prevent the virus from being able to infect your system again.

More information on this virus is available at:

http://www.cai.com/virusinfo/virusalert.htm#wscript

http://www.data-fellows.com/v-descs/kak.htm

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/cgi-bin/virauto.cgi?vid=8720

SORRY about being the bearer of bad news. Hopefully your computer is healthy. If not, this is pretty easy to get rid of.