Like the original virus, Bagle.B spreads by sending an e-mail message with an attached copy of its code; a PC is infected when the recipient opens the attachment. The virus, which is programmed to stop spreading Feb. 25, installs software on a person's PC to allow Bagle.B's creator to take control of the computer.

While the current variant of the virus is similar to the original Bagle, it seems to have taken off a bit faster, said Joe Telafici, director of operations for the antivirus and vulnerability emergency response team at security company Network Associates.

"We are seeing a little bit bigger spike with (reports of) the B variants than with the original virus," he said. The first reports of Bagle.B started coming in at 4:30 a.m. PST, he added, but by 7 a.m., the rate at which customers submitted reports started falling off. "It is already tailing off rapidly," he said.

By Robert Lemos at CNET.

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