Hoax computer viruses cost as much as real thing

HOAX software viruses are costing Irish business as much as the real thing, IT experts have warned.

Thousands of e-mail users have wiped a legitimate Windows file from their computers in the past week following an elaborate hoax virus alert. It caused havoc in offices worldwide and confused computer technicians People typically got a message on their PC yesterday morning from a recognised e-mail telling them their computer was infected because their address was included on an infected mailing list.

A number of steps were recommended to rid the machine of the virus and they were encouraged to delete a file featuring a teddy bear logo.