Government has warned Internet users to be on guard for a virus called "joke'' which could be a strain of the "Love Bug'' which devastated computers around the world.

And the virus has already struck at the heart of the computers of the Island's largest law firm, Appleby Spurling & Kempe.

"Joke'' is believed to be a "worm'' or "Trojan horse'' like the computer virus dubbed the "Love Bug'' which swept across the world in May, shutting down e-mail systems at major companies and US government agencies.

The virus spread though e-mail, sending a copy of itself to anyone in a user's address book.

Last night a warning went out to all Government departments of the possible dangers of the virus, which is contained in an e-mail with the heading joke.

It is not known how many businesses the virus permeated yesterday, but AS&K, a company well known for its stringent Internet security measures, was one of the companies hit.

Last night a spokeswoman for AS&K confirmed that the virus had been found in their system, and said she believed it was "the same script as the I love you virus''.

And she added that the company's Information Technology department was still working on the system.

She added: "All I can say, is that if you get anything with joke in the title, then delete it without opening.'' Minister of Telecommunication and E-commerce Renee Webb reacted swiftly last night, issuing a warning to all Internet users and all Government employees.

"We are constantly trying to warn companies that it does not matter what anti-virus system software is in place, there is still a risk,'' said Minister Webb.

"Cyber crime is a definite issue. If you have a teenager who can get his hands of millions of dollars on his computer, then we all have to be vigilant.'' She added that this was the first she had heard of the virus on the Island.

When the "Love Bug'' hit in June, there was also a "joke'' strain of the virus, which had the subject: joke, and the message said: kindly check the attached LOVELETTER coming from me. The attachment said: Very funny.vbs.

Renee Webb