Philippines college may expel suspected virus spreader

[William Knowles <wk () C4I ORG>]

http://www.techserver.com/noframes/story/0,2294,500203853-500282739-501514852-0,00.html

By DIRK BEVERIDGE, Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines (May 13, 2000 3:11 p.m. EDT
http://www.nandotimes.com) - The computer student at the center of a
probe into one of the most spectacular virus outbreaks in cyber
history faced a new worry Saturday, when officials at his college said
they will launch disciplinary proceedings that could ban him from
school.

Onel A. de Guzman is already facing a national investigation that
could lead to criminal charges in the case of the "Love Bug" virus,
which crippled computer systems from businesses to the CIA to the
British Parliament after it began spreading earlier this month.

The National Bureau of Investigation has identified de Guzman and
three other people as "possible suspects" in the case, though it
remains unclear what sort of charges they might face. The Philippines
has no laws specifically prohibiting cyber crimes.

De Guzman, 23, has acknowledged he may have accidentally released the
"ILOVEYOU" program that struck e-mail systems around the world,
costing as much as $10 billion. But the National Bureau of
Investigation wants to find out if the virus was sent out
intentionally.

AMA Computer College - where a rejected thesis proposal by de Guzman
bore a strong resemblance to elements of the virus - said Saturday it
is handing over all relevant information to investigators. The school
said it will begin its own actions against de Guzman and any other
students it can find belonging to a shadowy underground computer group
called GRAMMERSoft.

The GRAMMERSoft name appears in the program for the "Love Bug" virus.
The identities of members other than de Guzman have not been disclosed
thus far.

Releasing the virus could be characterized as malicious mischief. The
students also could face charges of creating and selling thesis
projects to classmates and setting up an Internet site critical of
school administrators and faculty, according to a teacher who spoke on
the condition his name not be used.

De Guzman failed to graduate on May 5 after academic advisers rejected
his password-stealing thesis proposal. School spokeswoman Bong Diaz
said Saturday he is still listed on the rolls as a student.


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