It disables certain Word options and modifies documents that are used

Melissa.A is a macro virus that reaches computers in an infected Word 97 document (a file with a DOC extension) included in an e-mail message with the following enticing subject: Important Message From "sender’s name".

This virus spreads very quickly as it sends itself out automatically to the first fifty addresses found in the Outlook Address Book.

Melissa.A has no destructive effects. It simply disables some Word options and inserts a text in the documents that are open on some particular occasions.

The first symptom that Melissa.A has arrived to the system is the reception of an e-mail message with the following characteristics:

• Subject:
  Important Message From "sender’s name"
• Message:
  Here is that document you asked for ... don't show anyone else ;-)
• Attachments: a file with a DOC extension.

Once the computer has been infected, Melissa.A inserts the following texts in documents that are open:

Twenty-two points, plus triple-word-score, plus fifty points for using all my letters. Game is over. I am outta here.

However, this only takes place when the minute value matches the day value in the system date stamp.