Danger lurks as Chernobyl virus threatens to infect

A patch has been available since the initial outbreak over three years ago but, according to anti-virus (AV) specialist Trend Micro, the virus may still be lurking.

Dale de Kok, a spokesman for AV firm Trend Micro, said computers with modern anti-virus software should be protected but described what infected users can expect: "You'll know if you've been infected. When you switch your machine on you'll have a blank screen because the virus has destroyed the first sector of your hard-drive and flashed your BIOS, leaving it blank."

A specialist will be needed to fix the problem, but de Kok added: "An alternative option would be to leave your computer switched off today and run a scan tomorrow."

Security specialist Symantec recently downgraded the Chernobyl threat level to three (moderate) from four (dangerous) due to decreased incidences of the virus.

Also known as CIH, the Chernobyl virus was first discovered in 1998 in Taiwan and was written by Chen Ing-hau, from whose initials the name was derived.