Matchmaker virus spreading

A computer virus disguised as a matchmaking program was still spreading Thursday from its British hatching ground, with more than 1,000 PCs infected in South Africa and a few dozen in Australia and New Zealand, according to antivirus software firm Trend Micro. The worm, known as "Matcher.A" or "Bugger," arrives as an e-mail attachment disguised as a program for finding romantic mates. The e-mail has the message: "Want to find you love mates!!! Try this its cool...Looks and Attitude Matching to opposite sex." The virus, which affects only Windows PCs, does not harm the infected computer but could overwhelm e-mail servers as it spreads. Once activated, the worm periodically sends identical messages to everyone in a victim's address book. Staff writer Megan McAuliffe reported from Sydney.