Porn virus 'spreading round world'

Computer experts have warned that a virus which opens pornographic websites on its victims' computers is spreading rapidly round the world.

Antivirus specialists Trend Micro has issued an advisory saying the outbreak has reached high-risk status.

The Australian Parliament has been an early victim, with multiple copies of the rogue file appearing on its computer system.

The virus - a 'worm' which replicates itself via Outlook Express - appears to be a harmless website recommendation. In fact, it has the potential to clog up computer systems worldwide.

The message - titled Homepage - calls on users to visit 'a really cool' homepage. The message reads: "You've got to see this page! It's really

cool ;o)."

Experts fear it could trigger chaos similar to that caused by the Kournikova virus in February. Once opened, it sends itself to every e-mail address listed in victims' address books, creating floods of unwelcome traffic on corporate servers.