In case of millennium bug, click here: Security

NEWS As if the millennium bug weren't enough, virus writers and hackers are also threatening to strike over the millennium period. But never fear - all the UK's main anti-virus vendors are promising to stay in their offices over the New Year and give a helping hand. Computer Associates has a virus information site at http://www.cai.com/virusinfo/ but no special emergency contact number for the millennium. If your email gets clogged up with viruses, try calling the European headquarters on +44 (0)1753 577733. Finjan's homepage at http://www.finjan.com offers all the latest news and updates. If you want phone support you'll have to wait until the US wakes up +1 408 324 0228. F-Secure (formerly Data Fellows) offers daily updates and hoax warnings at http://www.europe.datafellows.com/virus-info/ . The company has arranged a special email helpline for partners and customers from the 13 December to 15 January - send your enquiries to Y2Ksupport@F-Secure.com and infected files to SAMPLES@F-Secure.com. Network Associates has created a special Y2K virus centre at http://www.nai.com/asp_set/anti_virus/avert/y2k_intro.asp and customers can send any suspicious Y2K-related samples to AVERTY2K@NAI.COM . If you prefer the old-fashioned way try calling +44 (0)1296 318 700. According to Sophos, 1 January is just another day in virus-land, so unsurprisingly it has no special millennium site. But all the usual updates and information can be gained from http://www.sophos.com or +44 1235 559933. Everything you ever needed (or wanted) to know about Y2K viruses can be found at Symantec's site at http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/y2k/ alternatively call them on +44 171 616 5600. Trend Micro is offering free email alerts and virus-cleaning tools at its aptly-named site http://www.y2kvirus.com . But the company isn't offering a phone helpline, so if the bug has got to your Web access you may have problems getting hold of them... And finally... bored of worrying about viruses? Then try this refreshing alternative to all the doom and gloom: http://kumite.com/myths/