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A new, rapidly-spreading, self-replicating computer virus or worm called "Blaster" has already infected tens of thousands of Windows machines all over the world in less than 24 hours and is programmed to launch a denial-of-service attack Saturday on the Microsoft site providing the patch required to fix the vulnerability, according to the New York Times.

The worm is attacking the latest versions of Microsoft software including NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Server 2003. The specific security hole which makes this possible has been known since mid-July. What makes this worm different is that it requires no human intervention: no email download, no Web site visit, no file opening. The worm simply scans the Internet for vulnerable Windows PCs and jumps to the next one it finds.

An infected machine will slow down and begin to crash and reboot spontaneously for no apparent reason. The worm corrupts the computer's registry and inserts several anti-Microsoft taunts, including "Billy Gates why did you make this possible?"

Comments: A computer expert at the CERT Coordination Center is quoted saying "Lots of broadband customer and home users are experiencing pain and suffering." Microsoft is said to be attempting to develop a defense for Saturday's planned denial-of-service attack. This one definitely rates a "stay tuned" from us, and we will keep you informed.