People using the MSN TV system in the states have had law enforcement calling them and even coming round due to their dial-up numbers being changed to 911 by a program contained in an email. MSN TV is a set-top box that allows access to email and the web.
Originally thought to be a prank this small nuisance arrives in an email with the subject header "NEAT" and there are now people speculating that it"s spreading using the email address books people create. According to information posted on Usenet one person stated: "When my mother tried to log on to WebTV, it started to dial 911 .. She shut it off but we got a call from the police department anyway, checking to see if anything was wrong.". Another person reported having a member of their local police department knocking on their door.
There have been similar types of malicious software released in the past and this is now being referred to as a virus, although whether it can spread on its own isn"t confirmed for definite. Microsoft has commented saying: "Apparently it was an isolated incident and it affected only a handful of customers", they"ve also said there will be a patch available soon. According to sources on the net the software also changes some of the setting including the appearance of fonts and other configuration options.