Virgin warns Trojan-infected customers

Virgin Media has begun informing customers on its network if it thinks their computers are infected with a Trojan called SpyEye, the ISP said on Thursday.

In an initiative launched in August last year as a response to the threat of the Zeus Trojan, the company is working with the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) and other third parties to warn customers of infections. SpyEye collects personal and banking information and is "comparable in severity" to Zeus, Virgin said in a statement.

"Cybercrime is on the rise and the increasing sophistication of malware infections mean that all internet users could be at risk with devastating effects," Virgin Media broadband chief Jon James said in the statement. "We are taking this proactive approach to help protect our customers and to provide them the support and advice they need to stay safe online so that they can enjoy the best of the internet without the worry."

According to the statement, Soca identified around 1,500 Virgin Media customers whose computers were infected with SpyEye. Soca head of cyber Lee Miles said that, while the agency welcomes industry initiatives such as Virgin Media Security, consumers should ensure their computers have up-to-date security software so as to keep their finances and personal information safe.

Virgin reckons that "around a quarter of customers that get in touch with Virgin Media for support have not installed any type of computer protection or are failing to keep their security software up to date".