Microsoft reminds users about Feb. 3 virus

Microsoft has warned its customers about "Mywife," a malware variant expected to come to life on Friday.

Mywife is a mass-mailing malware that security engineers fear could begin permanently corrupting document files on Feb. 3 and could even cripple a computer's security-related applications.

"The malware also modifies or deletes files and registry keys associated with certain computer security-related applications," Microsoft said in a bulletin this week. "This prevents these applications from running when Windows starts."

Microsoft contends that up-to-date anti-virus software will block the infections and reminds customers not to open unsolicited e-mail attachments that cause the virus to spread. If opened, Mywife will send itself to all of the hapless user's friends, relatives and business associates in their address book.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International