Malaysian cyber detectives tracking a new computer worm that disables security software said that there was no proof it came from Malaysia, as some reports suggest, or that it was being used for credit card fraud. Anti-virus firms warned computer users on Monday that the 'Bugbear' worm opens up a backdoor in the computers and logs keystrokes.

A Britain-based technology news website, reported earlier this week that the worm was first detected in Malaysia, and had the ability to steal password and credit card details. The infamous "Love Bug" and "Nimda" worms both originated in the neighbouring Philippines.

"We are analysing the worm but we find no justification to the claim that it was discovered in Malaysia or may have even originated here," said Raja Azrina Raja Othman, deputy director of the government's National Information, Communications Technology Security and Emergency Response Centre (NISER). She said there was also no evidence that the worm had been used by credit card fraudsters.

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