Computers attacked by serious new virus

3.05pm


A serious new virus attack is threatening computer users.

The new virus was discovered this morning, but has already been mass-mailed to hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

Security Software manufacturer Network Associates describes the outbreak as 'high risk'.

The virus is a variant on one that is already well known, but includes a package which experts believe could give the virus creators a 'back door' into your system, allowing remote access to your private files.

It comes in an e-mail disguised as an error message, and says something like "The message contains Unicode characters and has been sent as a binary attachment."

Network Associates' Technical Support Manager Anthony Panuccio says the virus effects are already being noticed as e-mail systems start to slow down.

He says researchers are currently working to discover how the virus works, and what it actually does to a victim's computer.

The firm says it received nearly 20,000 e-mails in one hour bearing the virus.

Mr Panuccio says up-to-date virus protection will stop the virus going any further.

He says if you ever receive an unexpected e-mail - even from someone that you know - you should never open any attachment.


- Newstalk ZB