Tennis: Kournikova computer virus spreads like wildfire

A computer virus in the guise of a photo of Anna Kournikova has overwhelmed e-mail servers throughout Europe and North America.

Within a few hours, the virus had managed to spread almost as rapidly as last May's "I Love You" virus, which caused tens of millions of dollars in damages worldwide.

Anti-virus researchers expected more computer infections during Tuesday's business day in Asia. The virus is known as a worm because it can automatically send copies of itself to everyone on a recipient's address book.

It appears to have originated in Europe and comes as an attachment named "AnnaKournikova.jpg.vbs" and carries the message "Hi: Check This!"

At least three subject lines have been identified: "Here you have," "Here you go" and "Here you are" - all followed by a smiley face.

David Perry, director of public education at Trend Micro Inc, said: "Last year, everybody wanted to be loved. Apparently many people want to see a JPEG of Anna Kournikova."

Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos Anti-Virus Inc, said the virus writer skillfully combined "the temptation of the teen-age tennis star with the average fantasy of the guy who sits in front of the computer terminal".

It only spreads through Microsoft Outlook e-mail software on Windows computers, although Macintosh users and those using other e-mail programmes can still spread the virus manually.

Many anti-virus companies have developed software updates to filter the new virus, and many network administrators responded by configuring e-mail servers to automatically reject the message.