A new computer virus is seeking to drum up support for legalising cannabis.
According to antivirus firm Sophos, 'W32/Marijuana' is the latest e-mail virus to spread across computer systems using Microsoft Outlook address books.
The file, which arrives with the subject line 'check this out', changes system settings to launch a daily invitation to 'toke up'.
Opening the e-mail attachment puts an icon of a marijuana leaf on the desktop.
When the user clicks on the icon, it displays a message box with a long statement calling for the drug to be legalised.
Each day at 16:20, it displays a message box with the title "The Marijuana Virus!!" and the message "It's 4:20, Time to toke up :)"
The worm copies itself to the Windows directory, setting the registry so the file runs every time the computer is turned on.
PA