This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/technology-13798122

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Virgin tackles infected customers Virgin alerts infected customers
(40 minutes later)
About 1500 customers of internet service provider Virgin Media have been warned that their PCs are infected with a malicious virus.About 1500 customers of internet service provider Virgin Media have been warned that their PCs are infected with a malicious virus.
The targeted customers had fallen victim to the SpyEye trojan that steals logins for online bank accounts.The targeted customers had fallen victim to the SpyEye trojan that steals logins for online bank accounts.
Letters have been sent to those affected, giving them advice on how to clean up their computers.Letters have been sent to those affected, giving them advice on how to clean up their computers.
Virgin is understood to be the first UK ISP to give specific warnings to customers about viruses on their PCs.Virgin is understood to be the first UK ISP to give specific warnings to customers about viruses on their PCs.
The other major service providers tackle malware at the individual computer level, offering free anti-virus software and advice.The other major service providers tackle malware at the individual computer level, offering free anti-virus software and advice.
It is impossible, at this stage, to know how many of those ISPs' customers are affected.It is impossible, at this stage, to know how many of those ISPs' customers are affected.
Virgin said it had received information about the SpyEye infections among its users from the Serious and Organised Crime Agency.Virgin said it had received information about the SpyEye infections among its users from the Serious and Organised Crime Agency.
Early warningEarly warning
The company stressed that it had not been monitoring user activity, rather some of their customers' IP addresses were found by law enforcement while investigating criminal botnets.The company stressed that it had not been monitoring user activity, rather some of their customers' IP addresses were found by law enforcement while investigating criminal botnets.
"It's a small number compared to the four million customers we have," said a spokesman, "but regardless of that, because of the seriousness it's still important to communicate with our customers.""It's a small number compared to the four million customers we have," said a spokesman, "but regardless of that, because of the seriousness it's still important to communicate with our customers."
The letters stress the seriousness of the situation and urge customers to update their security software and scan their machine to find and remove the malicious program. Alternatively, customers can sign up for a help service that allows a Virgin to remotely find and fix problems.The letters stress the seriousness of the situation and urge customers to update their security software and scan their machine to find and remove the malicious program. Alternatively, customers can sign up for a help service that allows a Virgin to remotely find and fix problems.
The spokesman added that the Virgin campaign started in August 2010 and since then it had sent letters to "several thousand" customers about a serious infection on their home computer.The spokesman added that the Virgin campaign started in August 2010 and since then it had sent letters to "several thousand" customers about a serious infection on their home computer.
"The category we are looking at are the ones that put our customers at most risk or the ones that will steal from them," he said."The category we are looking at are the ones that put our customers at most risk or the ones that will steal from them," he said.
SpyEye first appeared in early 2010 and has steadily gathered victims ever since. Some machines are infected via booby-trapped webpages or by tricking people into clicking on links that lead to the trojan being installed.SpyEye first appeared in early 2010 and has steadily gathered victims ever since. Some machines are infected via booby-trapped webpages or by tricking people into clicking on links that lead to the trojan being installed.
The SpyEye trojan and its many variants are being produced with a software kit that allows novices to put together their own versions of the malware. The kit, which costs $500 (£310), also comes with a tool to help control all the PCs that are infected.The SpyEye trojan and its many variants are being produced with a software kit that allows novices to put together their own versions of the malware. The kit, which costs $500 (£310), also comes with a tool to help control all the PCs that are infected.