With its unique ability to attack industrial control systems, Stuxnet is the first computer virus, or "worm", that causes real-life harm.

Security experts think the Stuxnet was created with the explicit aim of disabling an Iranian uranium enrichment facility.

That seemingly geo-political aim, plus the sophistication of the virus, have led to speculation that Stuxnet may have been created by a government.

In a computer virus meets human-avian-pig hybrid virus scenario, Symantec is warning about a new hacker scam that preys on worry about the possible swine flu pandemic.

The US security software maker says while samples are extremely limited, it seems that hackers are trying to leverage the current crisis to lure unsuspecting punters into clicking on their malware.

Quelle horreur! France admits its naval systems were taken offline by the Conficker worm during January, but disputes that planes were grounded. Meanwhile, an antivirus software maker says “the new digital plague” now infects one in 16 PCs.

Conficker has wriggled into millions of PCs, leaving them open to receive a nasty parcel of malware from its author. But the worm – shaping up to be the biggest virus attack the world has ever seen - has yet to deliver its payload to a single infected computer. Antivirus experts tell NBR they’re waiting for the other boot to drop.