The Netsky and Sasser worms accounted for over 70 per cent of all virus infections in the first half of 2004. Jaschan was charged with computer sabotage amounting to a total of $157,000 in August.

Securepoint, based in northern Germany, has employed the 18-year-old and is training him to be a security software programmer. The company said Jaschan "has a certain know-how in this field."

However, the appointment has not gone down well with other security companies. Sophos said that former virus writers gaining quick employment in the computer security industry sends out a dangerous message.

Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos, said: "It's very important that the security community does not send out a message that writing viruses or worms is cool, or a route into employment. Jaschan is infamous for his involvement in the Sasser and Netsky worm outbreaks - it might have been less controversial if he had found employment in another part of the IT industry."

"There can be no doubt that the viruses Jaschan is said to have written were deliberately malicious, attempting to steal computer resources and blast innocent websites off the internet. The customers of the firewall security company will no doubt ask for an adequate explanation for his employment - and those who lost money as a result of his worms may wonder when they will be compensated."

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