SEVERAL new versions of the ‘Lovegate worm’ computer virus that have spread throughout the world in recent months have reached Myanmar, infecting networked computers and damaging files, said a spokesperson at Bagan Cybertech last week.

“This can be a big headache for infected companies, causing delays in conducting daily business and in providing services,” he said.

The virus spreads via email by sending itself to everyone in the address book of an infected computer.

It usually arrives in the form of an email with an attached file.

Stringent precautions are needed to avoid the virus, the spokesperson said.

“It is essential for every computer to have good, updated anti-virus software,” he said.

Bagan Cybertech can identify viruses and notify clients on fixed internet protocol (IP) systems – such as Ipstar, broadband, and Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) – if their PC is infected.

The spokesperson said that in order to protect mail servers from further infection, Bagan will temporarily disconnect the service until the virus is cleared from a client’s computer.

“Only when the client takes the responsibility to clean his computer will the problem be solved,” the spokesperson said.

The latest information on computer viruses can be downloaded from www. bagan.net.mm/downloads and www.norton.com.