TRENTON. (New Jersey) Apr 3: The virus spread like lightning. infecting scores of computers and overloading e-mail systems of companies and governments worldwide, reports AP.

The sleuths who tracked down the alleged culprit. David L Smith, cornered their quarry almost as fast, relying on an age-old detective's tool: There are fingerprints in cyberspace.

"No matter how creative you think you are, you always leave a digital trail." Don Willmott, executive editor of PC Magazine Online, said Friday.

Investigators say Smith. 30. holed up in his Aberdeen apartment, created the virus and named it after a topless dancer from Florida called Melissa.

The bothersome virus first appeared on March 26 and

spread around the world Monday like a malicious chain letter. It came disguised as an "important message" from a friend or colleague and caused affected computers to fire off 50 infected messages, slowing e-mail systems to a crawl.

Smith was arrested Thursday night at his brother's house. He faces charges that include interruption of public communications. conspiracy and theft of computer service — charges that carry a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a dlrs 480.000 fine.

"If he is tried and successfully convicted, he will do hard time." said New Jersey Attorney General Peter Verniero.

Smith allegedly created Melissa using a stolen America Online account, said Christopher Bubb, head of a state computer analysis unit.

AOL contacted state authorities after an in-house investigation turned up evidence that pointed to New Jersey, Bubb said. Using the information provided by AOL. investigators in the state’s computer unit, with the aid of federal experts, were able to trace the virus to Smith's phone number. The investigation took about three

Investigators wouldn't explain how they tracked Melissa to Smith's phone. But Willmott said e-mail "Always leaves a trail," and that the key was for detectives to untangle the web of computer messages.

"The rest must have been easy," he said. 'They did it very quickly."

Smith worked as an on-site consultant for AT and T Labs in Florham Park, employed by Iselin-based CGS computer As-

sociates. He was hired to troubleshoot the facility's personal computers. AT and T spokesman Burke Stinson told Trie Star-Ledger of Newark.

After spending the night in jail. Smith, who was released on dlrs 100,000 bail, called a supervisor at AT and T on Friday morning to say he wouldn't make it to work.

"He phoned his boss today to say he wouldn't be in. but added that he'd see him next week." Stinson said. "My reaction is. Fat chance.' My guess is we won't be seeing much of him in the future."

Apparently frightened when the FBI posted a warning about Melissa last week, investigators said Smith threw his computer equipment into one of the trash bins at' his central New Jersey apartment complex.

"After he put the virus onto

the Web. he tried to hide all of his computers and manuals," said Monmouth County Prosecutor John Kaye. "Everything was thrown into a Dumpster."

Neighbours of the pale, heavyset Smith said he was neatly groomed and ventured outside only to leave for work, dressed simply in khakis and a button-down shirt with no tie.

"He looked like he never went out," said Kim Holler, a legal secretary who lives in an apartment across a courtyard from Smith.

A cable installer said he rang Smith's doorbell a month ago after receiving' a referral that someone new had moved into the complex.

The installer, who identified himself only as John, said the man declined his offer for cable service. "He said. 'No. I'm on my computer all the time.'"