A COMPUTER virus is responsible for affecting hundreds of computers in Haslemere.
Many people in the town have found themselves affected by the virus after switching on their computers to find they are receiving what they believe is other people's e-mails, since Thursday of last week.
The virulent virus, which was described by Melanie Odell from Grayswood Computers as "rampant", has affected a number of computers including those belonging to Haslemere Town Council, the Visitor Information Centre, past mayors of the town, hotels and many other business and personal computer users.
Mrs Odell, who is also the president of Haslemere Chamber of Trade and Commerce, issued a warning about the infected e-mails on Wednesday, as the latest ones found their way onto computer screens across the town: "If you open them your printing may be affected and any credit card details on your system could be distributed to anybody.
"You never know where they come from – they are not from Haslemere but somebody somewhere, hell bent on causing as much inconvenience and disruption as possible," she said.
"We would advise anybody with an anti-virus software programme in place to ensure that it has been updated within the last few days. These updates will catch the recent bugs.
"Any personal users without anti-virus protection but with internet access should go to the website address: http://www.grisoft.com">www.grisoft.com where they will be able to download free-of-charge an excellent anti-virus package which is also regularly updated free."
Business users said Mrs Odell or those on a network can contact computer companies including Grayswood Computers for a commercial version of the programme.
"Haslemere has been hit particularly badly by this virus which in this case unfortunately has taken bits from an affected address book which can make it look as if it is a genuine e-mail."
Grayswood Computers can be contacted on 01428 644858.