COMPUTER bug busting experts in Oxfordshire are warning that a computer-wrecking virus is set to explode worldwide on the 13th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Computer security company Sophos, based at Abingdon Science Park, is warning computer users to be on their guard against a virus, called CIH, which will attack computer hardware.

The firm says the most widespread variant of the virus is set to go off on Monday, April 26, the 13th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown.

The virus, first identified in the middle of last year, now dominates the top ten virus table. It is able to wipe out the user's hard disk and to overwrite the computer chip, making the computer unusable.

Paul Ducklin, head of research at Sophos, said: "The warhead of CIH certainly puts it at the top of the nastiness league.

"Hopefully, this will focus the attention of users and administrators on the fact that the best form of defence against viruses is not to get infected in the first place. Anyone without preventative measures in place should act at once."

Last week the firm was at the forefront of the race to combat one of the fastest-growing computer viruses of all time.

Thousands of businesses and computer users around the world were hit by the Melissa virus, spread via e-mails.

It threatened to choke e-mail servers because of the number of messages it produced.

David Smith, 30, of Aberdeen, New Jersey, USA, has been arrested and charged with starting the virus.

Story date: Wednesday 07 April

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