The new variant, NetSky.b, uses e-mail to sends copies of itself to potential victims--people with computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system. It also stores copies of itself in shared directories, apparently to facilitate its propagation via file-sharing networks.

"The author, it seems, has done something to improve the virus's spread," said Alfred Huger, the senior director of engineering for security firm Symantec.

Symantec rated the virus a three on its five-point scale, while rival Network Associates gave the program a "medium" threat rating. The worm appears only to want to spread itself and not to launch an attack.

By Robert Lemos at CNET.

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