ABC.Net.au
September 17, 2004

A new computer virus outbreak has emerged that packs a baffling message - a photograph of accused German virus author Sven Jaschan.

Security officials believe this to be a geeky taunt from a rival gang of computer programmers.

Last week, German authorities charged 18-year-old Jaschan with sabotage for allegedly creating the destructive "Sasser" computer worm and "Netsky" computer viruses, some of the most potent digital outbreaks to ever hit the Internet.

Following his arrest in May, the teenage computer wizard admitted to police he wrote the code for Sasser and more than two dozen Netsky viruses that wreaked havoc across the Internet during the first few months of 2004.

Now it appears rival programmers are exulting in his downfall and using their favourite calling card - a tenacious computer virus dubbed "MyDoom" - to mock their vanquished foe.

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