Talking, farting virus warning

Computers that talk back to you might sound like a futuristic vision but for customers of one anti-virus vendor they are the stuff of nightmares.

Engineers at Panda Security have reported calls from surfers complaining of 'talking' viruses that have infected their computers.

"I was infected by a virus a week ago. The virus said 'you fool' through the computer speakers. It always repeats the same words: 'you fool'," one customer complained.

Others said that their computers were making strange sounds, including one who said the noise was similar to "taking a foot out of jelly".

Another reported a ruder noise.

"For some time now I have been unable to make my ActiveScan Pro work. I enter the user name and password, but the only answer I get is a 'fart' sound (pardon the expression)," the customer said.

Though these are some of the stranger reports received by Panda engineers, the company warned that many surfers were unable to recognise security threats and were "too reliant" on anti-virus programs.

Dominic Hoskins of Panda Security said: "There is a danger that users are becoming too vulnerable in their ability to spot a potential malware threat.

"They remain too reliant on security software while receiving little support from security providers," he continued.

www.pandasecurity.com