Attackers are exploiting fears over bird flu by releasing a computer virus attached to an e-mail passing itself off as containing avian flu information, warned computer firm Panda Software.According to Panda, the virus Naiva.A masquerades as a word document with e-mail subject lines such as "Outbreak in North America" and "What is avian influenza (bird flu)?"
When the file is opened, the virus modifies, creates and delete files. A second part of the virus installs a program that allows hackers to gain remote control of infected computers.
The firm said the virus cannot spread on its own but needs to be manually distributed via e-mail, Internet downloads or file transfers.
"They fake the e-mail header so it looks like it comes from somewhere that's authoritative," Australian computer security specialist Allan Bell said Tuesday.
