Federal authorities are warning residents and businesses of a bogus e-mail purporting to be from the FBI or CIA that is spreading a computer virus worldwide.

MSNBC reported that another version of the e-mail promises pictures of Paris Hilton and another looks like an automatic message indicating an attempted e-mail has failed, known as a "bounce."

The virus is a variation of one released two years ago, and some computer security companies are calling it the most widespread outbreak this year. It affects computers running the Windows operating systems.

The bogus FBI e-mail asks the user to answer questions contained in an attached file. If the recipient opens the attachment, the virus is launched and sends similar e-mails to everyone in that person's address book, said Charles Goodwin, FBI special agent in charge in Honolulu.

He said some e-mails come with a statement saying they already have been screened for viruses.

FBI officials became aware of the virus Monday when field offices nationwide were swamped with calls, he said. The FBI office in Honolulu received 24 to 36 calls yesterday, but Goodwin said he was not aware of any problems experienced by computer users here.

He said the FBI's Boston office is investigating the source of the virus, which apparently has spread to foreign countries. Goodwin said the fake e-mails have addresses such as department@fbi.gov and mail@fbi.gov.

According to the FBI Web site, the e-mail message includes language such as:

"Dear Sir/Madam,

"We have logged your IP-address on more than 30 illegal Web sites.

"Important: Please answer our questions! The list of questions are attached.

"Yours faithfully ..."

Goodwin said the FBI is not responsible for the e-mails.

"The FBI does not send unsolicited e-mails to people," he said. "The virus that's being propagated, although we don't know exactly where it's from as yet, it's basically a variant of a virus called the 32 Sober virus."

He said an Internet security firm reported that 61 percent of the complaints it has received are linked to this virus. Goodwin added that authorities are aware of the virus, and he asked that people not file any more complaints.

"My best advice would be just don't open the attachment, and delete whatever it is that comes in from any of those mail addresses. If you don't know who's sending you e-mail, don't open it and don't open the attachments."

Goodwin said the FBI has had surprising success in tracking down the creators of computer viruses. He said sending viruses is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.