New hacker alert

A new alert was issued today over criminals targeting home computer users.

Figures published this afternoon showed an astonishing one third of all PCs connected to the internet are infected with hacking software.

The software is often used to steal online banking passwords and credit card details.

It works by electronically spying on the user, capturing their passwords whenever they visit a website which requires financial details.

The hacking software is often downloaded onto a computer user's machine without their knowledge when they use a website or download software or music from the internet.

The Police's National Hi-Tech Crime Unit today confirmed it is investigating the problem.

It is believed eastern European crime syndicates behind recent computer virus scams could be responsible.

"This software can be used to steal your identity, including your bank details, and it is something we have seen a big increase in over the last few months. There is definitely criminal activity here, and we will continue to investigate the problem," said Felicity Barr of the NHTCU.

The survey on home computers was carried out by internet service provider EarthLink and email company Webroot.

They scanned more than 420,000 PCs and found nearly 134,000 had the software, known as spyware, on them. The company believes each computer has an average of 30 pieces of spyware on it.

Experts from consultancy firm Gartner warned that almost two million net users have already been the victims of bank fraud because of the hidden software. The spyware can also display annoying pop-up adverts to users.

According to Graham Cluley of anti-virus software company Sophos, home users are particularly at risk.

He said: "Spyware is a wide term, but bank fraud is a real threat. When this software finds you are visiting a banking site, it can record every key you press and send the details to its creator-All this is done in the background, so the user never knows.

"Home users are a particular risk because they have a lot of rubbish on their computers, so wouldn't notice any spyware.

"The biggest problem is that this software is hard to find. The only thing you might notice is that your machine is running a bit slower." Mr Cluley said spyware could even be a bigger problem than viruses.

" Viruses are more destructive than spyware, but people are aware of them.

"There is a far greater likelihood your computer will be infected with spyware than catch a virus."