A new email virus is poised to sweep Britain, revealing your most confidential documents to everyone you know.
SirCam randomly selects files from a computer's hard drive and then sends them to every name in the user's address book.
And last night, PC expert Graham Cluley revealed: "It could send company secrets or merger details - or your plans to get your boss sacked and take over the company."
SirCam is a more sophisticated version of viruses such as the Love Bug and Anna Kournikova worm, which can cause millions of pounds worth of damage to systems.
It has so far appeared in 110 countries, it was reported yesterday.
Mr Cluley explained: "SirCam comes as an attachment with an email but it's clever.
"Not only does it scoop up confidential documents, it sends them to everybody in your address book.
"With the LoveBug, we could tell people to delete any email titled 'I Love You', but this has no particular phrase to warn people about. It damages credibility and confidentiality and is much worse than deleting files on your hard drive."
SirCam is activated by opening the attachment and may originate from Argentina where a series of viruses have been produced.
Mr Cluley, a consultant with Sophos Anti-Virus based in Abingdon, Oxford, said users should check all their emails, even from friends.
He added: "There's a lot of panic. But if people update their anti-virus software, they should be protected."
