Microsoft 'Love Bug' patch delayed

Users will have to wait another week for Microsoft's Outlook security update, aimed at preventing the spread of viruses such as the Love Bug.

The software giant said it is taking "a little longer" than planned to deliver the patch, which was expected to be made available on 22 May, because of some "added functionality" that is being integrated into the fix.

A Microsoft spokesman said the patch is expected to be released some time next week.

The patch for Microsoft's Outlook 2000 and 98 messaging software will warn users about or even prevent them from accessing several file types, which are sent as email attachments. These include executables, batch files and other file types that contain executable code often used by hackers to spread viruses.

The Love Bug and many other viruses, spread by emails that multiply once opened by a recipient, send new messages to everyone in the user's address book - bringing entire mail servers down in the process.

Microsoft has been criticised by both analysts and antivirus vendors for what has been described as its "permissive" attitude to security.

Although the issue of a patch has been seen as a step in the right direction, some analysts have expressed concern over the patch's suitability in corporate environments.

Gartner analyst Chris LeTocq said: "With the Outlook email security update Microsoft has reversed its policy of making email security incumbent upon the individual user. Although this change is welcome, enterprises will find the implementation burdensome."

He said problems include the fact that businesses installing the patch cannot subtract from the list of unsafe attachments, and applications requiring access to the Outlook address book will require manual, time-limited authorisation in each instance.

LeTocq urged users to ask Microsoft to make further modifications to the patch to improve it and lessen its impact on IT departments.

Microsoft said the extra functionality has been developed as a result of customer feedback and would include more options for administrators to customise which email attachments users have access to.