'GTA IV' causing global virus problem

Cyber criminals are using Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto IV as a vehicle to spread damaging viruses around the globe, according to one IT security expert.

John Safa, a former hacker and now head of security firm DriveSentry, said gamers downloading illegal copies of Rockstar's game onto their PC are also unknowingly downloading damaging viruses.

Jafa said: "People are exploiting the popularity of Grand Theft Auto IV in a way which could bring mayhem to the internet.

“The only thing that many gamers can think of at the moment is Grand Theft Auto IV and hackers are using that interest to try to generate chaos as quickly as they can.”

Advising gamers, Safa said: "I would urge anybody to tread very carefully around these links, as some links are designed to look official – or even better invest in a good anti-virus package that is capable of protection from the latest threats for their computer.

“Hackers are increasingly sophisticated in the way they disrupt the web. They will piggyback on anything popular to wreak havoc.”