New Net Virus Threatens Office Workers

A number of US companies yesterday issued a warning about a new and potentially dangerous computer virus which is currently being distributed through the internet. The virus is embedded in an executable file which can be attached to an email message and sent to hundreds of users in one go.

These emails contain a file called ‘Pinduw.exe’. When this file is executed, the virus finds its way into the user’s computer and places a series of images in the Windows system folder. A further macro tells the computer to display these images on the user’s monitor as the screen is refreshed.

The images themselves are barely visible to the naked eye, as they appear for less than one hundredth of a second at a time. However, subliminally, their effect is much more worrying. US scientists studying the results of this virus have found symptoms in the user varying from partial memory loss to the inability to see the colour green.

Whilst the Pinduw virus is not currently that widespread, there are concerns that if a fix is not developed soon, it could spread as prolifically as the Melissa macro which hit companies earlier this week.

PC users have been advised not to open the Pinduw.exe file and to delete the email it is attached to immediately. However, it is understood that the file will only effect the user’s computer if it is executed between 12 midnight and midday the same day.