The attack of the Sasser worm over the past five days once again underscores the general inability of many individuals and businesses to keep their computers secure.

To help keep Bermuda residents and businesses on top of the battle I've created a public non-profit Internet site for Bermuda called SecureBermuda. You can see it by going to http://securebermuda.blogspot.com. Later this week the domain name I've created should become operative and you can simply tpe in (www.securebermuda.com).

The site, which I hope to hand over as soon as possible to any willing organisation in Bermuda, is intended as a portal for updated news and information on all computer security issues, such as viruses, worms and software patches.

Since it is a blog as well as an information site you too can post topics on computer security to the site simply by signing in. Just send me an e-mail at postmastersecurebermuda.com with the e-mail address you want to use. I'll add you to the list. You will then receive an automated confirmation e-mail from Blogger.com.

Simply click on the confirmation link in the e-mail and you'll be able to set up your user name and password so you can enter your blog. There is no cost of course, other than your time.

You'll be given posting access as a member. Bermuda security issues are of course the major topic. All I ask is to please keep your posts short, include links to important sites and keep it relevant. Above all be civilised! Blogs can get out of hand if someone wants to be a spoilsport.

I also call on firms dealing with computer security to post any information they may have that might help the Bermuda community to better evaluate current virus risks to the Island. Thus, information on the number of viruses blocked by systems and statistics on infection rates would be welcome.

If you have any links that can be put permanently on the site, send them to me.

In addition to automatically updated news on viruses (automated through Moreover.com), I've also put in links to key sites that contain virus information and the means to detect and remove any lodged in your computer. I've also put up links to the relevant security and IT companies in Bermuda.

If I've missed you please send me a reminder and a link!

Of course, what's really needed is a government-sponsored Bermuda Computer Emergency Response Team (BermudaCert) site, such as the information sites created by Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada and the US.

Until then, here's SecureBermuda. I'll gladly give any computer professional or organisation administrative access if they want, so you can help edit any of the posts. I've tried to keep the site as hassle free as possible to keep the work needed on it to a minimum.

As a challenge I'm asking the right organisation to take over the site as a non-profit service. How about the Computer Society of Bermuda? I'll handover the domain name (it's $12 a year to keep it registered). It would then be easy to move the site to a relevant host rather than keep it at Blogger.

If you happen to have been attacked by the Sasser virus you'll soon know it. The worm causes your computer to re-boot continually by taking advantage of a flaw with the Windows operating system.

The worm in its current versions does not cause any permanent damage to files or machines. If you think that you are infected and are unsure how to check your system you can download McAfee's Stinger tool to scan your system and remove the virus if is present. Go to http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger.

Those with infected systems should also install a Microsoft update that protects computers from the threat. Go to www.microsoft.com and click on the 'Technet' link.

Contact Ahmed at editoroffshoreon.com if you have any comments.