Hackers use bird flu emails to hijack computers

SYDNEY: Computer hackers are exploiting fears over bird flu by releasing a computer virus attached to an email passing itself off as containing avian flu information, warned Spainish computer firm Panda Software.

The virus Naiva.A masquerades as a word document with email subject lines such as "Outbreak in North America" and "What is avian influenza (bird flu)?", said the firm on its web site.

When the file is opened, the virus modifies, creates and delete files. A second part of the virus installs a programme that allows hackers to gain remote control of infected computers.

The firm said the virus can not spread on its own but needs to be manually distributed via email, Internet downlaods or file transfers.

"They fake the email header so it looks like it comes from somewhere that's authoritative," Australian computer security specialist Allan Bell said on Tuesday.

Bell said he had no reports of the virus in Australia.