Nothing blows away the cobwebs like a virus. Receiving one which corrupts or destroys files and generally causes mayhem is enough to enliven even the most jaded computer user.
Viruses come in an array of fancy and humorous names from Linux.Slapper.Worm to Backdoor.Zenmaster. But the one under scrutiny this week, which is the bane of security experts and has been dubbed 'the baddest virus on earth', sounds more like a sexually transmitted disease.
Introducing Klez, that is if you do not already have it. This particular breed of malicious code gets around.
Supposedly the most active virus in recent history, it has already infected nearly 10 per cent of computers worldwide and the number of victims continues to grow.
Like most prolific computer pests, Klez uses what has been called 'social engineering' to get the user to run the attached file containing the virus code.
That means playing on the user's desire for wealth, power or affection.