A swift, malicious computer virus has attacked a number of computer servers and dramatically slowed down internet traffic for users including those in Ireland.
Users of internet and e-mail services have had their access interfered with by a computer "worm".
Technology experts have compared the slowdown which started early this morning with the "Code Red" virus, which brought internet traffic to a halt in the summer of 2001.
Although Ireland.comwasn't infected by the virus, a number of internet service providers did encounter problems which resulted in users having difficulty accessing Ireland.comcontent.
The problem began to significantly attack the web after 5 a.m. (Irish time) and spread rapidly. It is now being resolved.
The "worm" targets internet service providers which host and direct traffic on the internet. It does not infect personal or home computers.
The malicious code reportedly exploits a vulnerability in internet software from Microsoft, called the SQL Server, which was first identified in July 2002.