April Fool's Day computer virus could cause internet chaos today
A virus that experts believe has wormed its way into millions of computers could choose today to attack. The Conficker virus, which is thought to have infected up to 15million computers since last autumn, has so far lurked harmlessly - but it is said to be programmed to change the way it operates today.
No one knows what it will do - with some suspecting it is simply an April Fool's joke. But there are fears the virus, which infects machines through the internet and via memory sticks, will be used to steal bank details, send spam emails or crash a major website by overloading it by redirecting all affected computers to it.
Conficker, which is also known as Downadup or Kido, is a 'worm' virus that exploits a gap in Microsoft Windows software. Parliament, the Ministry of Defence and several NHS trusts have been infected, as well as home computers.
