Right wing spam invades email users

International email spam has inundated Australian computer users with right-wing German propaganda.

The spam has been infiltrating inboxes around the world since Thursday, sending users to
German political sites including that of the extremist National Democratic Party.
Computer security firm Symantec said it had been receiving calls all day from users complaining about the spam.

Symantec managing director John Donovan said the emails were directed mainly at private users but some companies that had not updated their anti-spam software also were affected.

But the spam, a variation of the Sober worm which first appeared in 2003, was not expected to cause any major problems to computer systems.
"It (the worm) doesn't cause any malicious damage but will replicate in computer systems," he said.

Mr Donovan said the worm could be controlled easily.
"If you see it, delete it," he said.
A Telstra spokesman said the company had been filtering the spam since about 11.45am (AEST)on Monday.
A similar worm created havoc last year during the German elections.