A new computer virus called "Naked Wife" is hitting businesses across the US, Canada and Europe.
The latest rogue file uses the same lurid tactics as the recent Kournikova virus to dupe complacent users into helping it prolifereate.
But unlike its predecessor it carries a more damaging payload capable of deleting almost all a computer's vital system files.
"It essentially destroys your Windows operating system," says Mr Steve Trilling, director of research at the Symantec Antivirus Research Centre.
Mr Trilling says the email attachment, which arrives with the subject line FW: Naked Wife, also sends itself out to everyone in the user's email address book.
He says the virus may have come from Brazil.
"One could fake this stuff, but indications in a virus for the most part tend to be correct," Mr Trilling said, adding that names found in the recent "Love Letter" virus eventually led to that program's creator.
PA