Security firm warns of fake blog ‘virus’

However, the supposedly malicious code, first discovered in January, is simply a joke created by a Dutch author based on a suggestion to insert an animated graphic in blogs. The graphic itself is a picture of a virus that makes a series of comments, such as how it intends to dominate all blogs around the world.

Although PandaLabs is moving to remind users that this fake virus poses no threat, there is a possibility that the same technique might be used to spread genuinely damaging malicious code.

To avoid potential problems, PandaLabs advises users not to insert references to third-party code on personal web pages, even if they are simply jokes. And for those who want to insert such items from other sites, it is important to ensure that no calls are made to remote servers and that the content is hosted on the author's server.

Luis Corrons, spokesman for PandaLabs, said: "The malware situation is currently quite delicate, as complex social engineering techniques are frequently used and it is possible that malicious code could be spread involuntarily among circles of blog writers exchanging information."

Panda suggests using an online scanning tool, if blog writers and readers suspect that malicious code on a web page may have infected their computer.