MyDoom spawns four offshoots

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Security experts warned on Friday that several new versions of MyDoom have surfaced on the Internet, suggesting that worm writers are taking a stab at improving the venerable virus, CNET reports.

The viruses are largely alike: They are designed to spread by attaching copies of the program to e-mail messages and download additional features from compromised Web sites. Moreover, they are all difficult to get rid of, because they stop the system from connecting to antivirus Web sites to download updates.

The fact that several similar variations of MyDoom have been released in quick succession suggest that a more lethal version may be in the works, said Sam Curry from Computer Associates.

"We are pretty much on alert now through the weekend, and we are recommending that people be careful with e-mail," he said.