A sicko virus writer is using the recent terrorist crisis to trigger an attack on corporate servers.

Although it has been confirmed that the 'war vote', or World Trade Center, virus is not widespread, experts have been shocked that someone is actually using the disaster as a hook for infection.

The Windows-based virus arrives as an attachment, WTC.exe, to an email. It will most likely be addressed to names found in the infected user's address book with the subject line: 'Fwd: Peace Between America and IsLaM !'

The body of the message, which we quote verbatim, reads: "Hi iS iT waR Against AmeriCa Or IsLaM !? Let's Vite To Live in Peace!"

The attached executable contains code which will attempt to delete all files in the Windows directory after mailing itself on. Reports also indicate that it will deface any web pages hosted by the infected machine to read: "America ... few days will show you what we can do!!! It's our turn ))) ZaCker is so sorry for you."

Computer Associates reported that only between five and 10 large companies have been hit so far.

Mikko Hypponen, manager of antivirus research at F-Secure, said: "Apparently this simple virus is written by a teenager. It's awful that anyone would use a tragedy like this as a ploy to spread their virus."