If you run Windows 2000 or Windows NT on your computer, and Microsoft's Internet Information Server (IIS) Web server software, you are a potential target of the latest nasty virus that is making the rounds.

The Code Red worm, which is date triggered and is set to be unleashed at 7 p.m. EDT, July 31, may not appear to cause any damage to your computer. However, if the worm resides on your computer, your system may be made more vulnerable to hackers in the future.

The worm has been crawling around for awhile already, infesting approximately 300,000 computers earlier this month. It is the 7 p.m. deadline, however, that has computer folk most alarmed because that is when the worm is expected to start another movement.

A warning was released this past weekend by Microsft, the FBI's National Infrastructure Protection Center, and other groups.

If you are in a target group, as described above, it is recommended that you download a patch for the worm. The patch will not hurt your computer, and it will protect you from any further infection. If the worm is already resident in your computer, rebooting will remove the worm.

Microsoft is providing the Code Red vulnerability patches for Windows NT and Windows 2000 system.