FBW, maybe that is what Trend Micro refers to as "changing the appearance of MSIE". Here is the URL for their page
<a href="http://www.antivirus.com/vinfo/virusencyclo/default5.asp?VName=JS_EXCEPTION.GEN" target="_blank">http://www.antivirus.com/vinfo/virusencyclo/default5.asp?VName=JS_EXCEPTION.GEN</a>
In answer to your question about damage, there is none. This malware is about as benign as they come. It's more the work of a prankster than a juvenile delinquent. Notwithstanding, do install Microsoft's patch because more malicious java applets can exploit the very same security gap. There is a link from the Symantec URL given above.
-- BB