Virus triggers internet chaos

A computer virus that hit surfers last month is only now showing its true colours, security experts have warned. The W32/Mapson-A worm, which has been spreading across the internet since June, has been programmed to cause chaos in July. W32/Mapson-A worm spreads via email and P2P internet file-sharing systems by claiming to contain images of nude female celebrities including Halle Berry and Kylie Minogue, trailers of The Matrix and information about reality TV show Big Brother. But the virus has also been programmed to tell infect users that they have been hit by a worm called Lorraine, which does not exist. On the fourth of the month it flashes up a message in Spanish dedicated to the unknown Lorraine. Sophos said it has recorded an increased number of users searching its website for information about the "Lorraine" or "W32/Lorraine" virus. But there is no virus known by this name. Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos Anti-Virus, said: "The virus was probably written in Mexico in the honour of a woman called Lorraine, but we don't want to pander to the virus writer by giving it this name." "Whether you're desperate to hear what's going on in the Big Brother house, peek at Shakira in her bikini or view the latest blockbuster trailer it's probably best if you resist temptation and practise safe computing," added Cluely.