But some computer experts maintained that hackers elsewhere in the world could have got into the Philippines computer and used it to spread the Love Bug. Swedish researcher Fredrik Bjoerck said traces on the internet pointed to a German exchange student living in Australia. At least seven variations appeared soon after the virus began spreading, one masquerading as an e-mail joke, another as a receipt for a Mother's Day gift. Anti-virus software maker Symantec said the latest variant of the virus poses as a warning message from their technical support team. E-mails infected with the Love Bug reached 45 million users, according to one estimate.
Experts say the virus is likely to engender more variants in the coming weeks.
It only affects systems running Microsoft Windows with Windows Scripting Host enabled. Computers using Apple's operating system or Linux are not affected.