LEGAL experts are warning businesses to be extra vigilant and not to allow themselves to be open to negligence claims caused because of computer viruses.

Robert McGough, an E-commerce specialist at Ilkley firm Last Cawthra Feather, said with more than 54,000 virus threats already existing, and another 200 new ones being discovered each month, firms should be careful what they transmit via email.

He said: "The majority of computer viruses are now spread over the Internet via email attachments. Estimates suggest that one virus is detected in every 1,5000 email messages.

"There are a multitude of different effects of viruses ranging from those which are essentially harmless, to those that will corrupt the data held on a computer or a network and make it useless."

Mr McGough said there was a danger a virus could infect a whole system without employees being aware of it and could then spread to people who receive messages and attachments from them.

This could lead to the employee being found liable for negligence.

"In order to defend such an accusation, employees would need to show what procedures are in place to prevent viruses infecting the system and spreading to others.

"Therefore, effective virus protection and correct procedures can help limit the potential dangers to a business and all staff with access to computers need to be informed."

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