Life of Guangzhou - Beware, MSN Virus on Prowl

A computer worm which is spread via MSN Messenger has affected computers across China, and experts have warned users to be cautious when receiving any suspicious files on MSN.

The worm, "MSN photo," appears as a message in English saying, "Hey, want to see my new photo album?" The virus is then followed with an attachment zip file named "photo album," a Chinese media report said yesterday.

If users open the file, their computers will be affected since it opens a backdoor allowing hackers to remote control the computers and collect personal information, the report said.

The worm can also cause traffic clogging on the Internet and may damage companies' local area networks, it said.

The virus is said to be similar to the "sexy bird," a worm also sent through MSN Messenger two years ago, according to Rising Corp Ltd, a leading anti-computer virus company in China.

As MSN users are usually not alert to viruses when chatting with friends, the photo worm is spreading fast, the company said, adding that it has already received hundreds of reports about the virus since March 27.

Affected computer users are advised to update their anti-virus software programs and turn on the monitoring function when online.

Users should also be cautious and check with senders before they open any file received through chat software such as MSN and QQ, the company said. (By Lydia Chen)