A complex computer virus has been discovered prompting security warnings that the virus is about to hit Irish business and home users alike.

The variant W32/Bugbear-B virus is considered high risk by many of the anti-virus software vendors and was only discovered this week.

"It has just reached high priority level and could be very serious. It's gaining momentum" said Mr Anthony Quigley of Priority Data computer security.

"It spreads by sending emails and the subject text can look like a normal subject line such as 'Hello!' ,'update Payment notices' or ' Just a reminder'" said Mr Quigley.

W32/Bugbear-B is a network-aware virus which spreads by sending emails containing attachments which can have the same filename as another file on the victim's computer.

If the virus activates, several new files will appear on the computer.

Their names consist of letters of the alphabet randomly chosen by the virus.

The origination of the virus is not known. Users are advised to cover themselves quickly and upload anti-virus softward first thing today.