FBI investigating computer virus that calls 911

Copyright © 2000 Nando Media

Copyright © 2000 Associated Press

HOUSTON (April 4, 2000 4:21 p.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com)

The FBI says a virus that erases hard drives and makes bogus 911 calls may be threatening computers in the Houston area.

Investigators with the National Infrastructure Protection Center, a multi-agency task force charged with investigating cyber-related crime in the United States and abroad, said it is looking for evidence of the virus in other cities.

"Whenever this type of activity occurs over the Internet, all possibilities of nationwide effects are looked into," Debbie Weierman, an FBI spokeswoman, said Tuesday.

The virus surfaced in Houston Monday.

According to NIPC, the virus spreads by attacking computers with Windows operating systems set up to allow users to share files over the Internet.

Emergency call centers were first warned of the virus Monday morning, said Sonya Lopez, spokeswoman for the Greater Harris County 911 Network. Only one bogus call has been received, she said.

Weierman said the NIPC's investigation is continuing and is looking at the "scope of the damage and what effects this particular virus has possibly caused."