PC users are bracing themselves for a new breed of virus that exploits a loophole in Microsoft's Outlook. This allows code to be activated even if no attachments are opened. The Bubbleboy virus has been sent to leading anti-virus vendors and appears to come from Argentina. Although it's not currently destructive, the same principles could be used for malicious viruses. It affects Windows 98 and 2000. Windows 95 is also affected if the Windows Scripting Host is installed. Microsoft has produced a patch for the problem. Users who do not employ the patch could soon find their address book being raided in a Melissa-style attack. URLS are shown below:

FAQ: http://www.microsoft.com/Security/Bulletins/MS99-032faq.asp

Patch: http://www.microsoft.com/msdownload/iebuild/scriptlet/en/scriptlet.htm