A highly potent virus, camouflaged as a link in a genuine Facebook e-mail from a friend , is doing the rounds at the moment and can completely jam those computers it infects.

According to the reports, several anti-virus programmes are unable to detect, prevent or remove the virus, requiring a re-installation of Windows and the loss of all data on the infected computer.

The e-mail typically contains a link to a video or site – for example YouTube – that a Facebook friend wants you to see. The current version has YouTube in the subject field.

The link appears to be a genuine Facebook link, Facebook appears as the sender and the purported ‘friend’ is someone who exists on your Facebook friend list.

While the e-mail itself can be read without adverse effects, invoking the link, downloads the virus.