The message contains randomly generated words and gibberish. Beagle can also be called a worm since it replicates itself by using its own SMTP mailing engine to send e-mail to addresses found in the infected user’s address book. 

Beagle installs an executable program on an infected computer and changes some registry entries, but in reality it does no real damage to the computer. Since it does not affect the operation of the computer, infected users may not realize that they have been contaminated. Beagle has a built-in expiration date. It will not replicate after January 28, 2004. This gives the worm less than one month to spread.

The short life span and seeming innocuous behavior of this virus are causing experts to speculate about the real purpose of this virus. Some suggest that it is a test version that will be followed by more potent varieties. Others say that the executable program of this or future versions could possibly be used by spammers to infect multiple computers. The spammers could then automatically install invisible e-mail proxy servers on each infected computer and have each infected computer send out their spam messages.

Whatever the purpose of Beagle, one thing is for sure, as always beware! Use a good anti-virus program that is updated regularly and don’t open any attachments that you do not expect. If your computer becomes infected, visit the Symantec Security Response for a removal tool to clean up the Beagle infection.