However, HASCS warned that computers that cannot be infected with the virus could still pass it on.

"Even if your computer does not meet these criteria, you should erase e-mail with the above subject headings to minimize the possibility of sending the virus to others," the warning stated.

The ILOVE YOU virus spreads particularly quickly because it has the ability to send itself to every entry in the e-mail address book of infected computers. Last year's Melissa virus could only send itself to 50 address book entries.

This virus is also more destructive than previous programs because it copies itself into base computer systems files, allowing it to run every time an infected computer is started.

"VBS/LoveLetter virus is no hoax," Osterberg said. "It is an actual virus, with real-life destructive capabilities."

Yesterday, authorities identified a 23-year-old man in the Philippines as the suspected creator of the ILOVE YOU virus, after learning that the program could send stolen e-mail passwords to an address owned by the man.

According to CNN, the virus has infected 60 to 80 percent of U.S. companies, as well as several U.S. government agencies and more than 100,000 servers in Europe