The kind of person who creates such disruption differs in age, income, location, social/peer interaction, educational level, likes, dislikes and communication style, according to Sarah Gordon renowned expert in computer viruses and security technology.

The stereotypical image of a spotty "Kevin the Teenager" virus creator, the schoolboy who has the tools to do it and something to prove, still largely prevails.

There is however, an increasingly sinister side to the virus writer.

Motivated by financial gain, they are more and more likely to be working with spammers and hackers, says Paul Wood, chief security analyst at MessageLabs.

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