TIANJIN — China's national anti-computer virus center has found malicious software posing as novel coronavirus-related information since the epidemic has become a heated topic online.

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The malware, using names like "novel coronavirus pneumonia.exe" and "coronavirus.exe" as lures, is circulated in group chats, according to the National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center.

The malware is in the form of Trojans or remote control tools, and users who run it may have their data stolen or documents deleted.

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As the malware can also avoid detection by anti-virus software, said the center, it might be attached to emails or sent via WeChat, threatening the security of users' computer.