BEIJING, Feb.17 (Xinhuanet) -- A mischievous computer worm has been found to hit Apple's OS X operating system, believed to be the first such virus ever to target the Mac platform.

    Called OSX/Leap-A, the worm is spread via instant messaging programs, according to a posting on the Web site of antivirus software company Sophos.

    The virus is said to spread using Apple's iChat IM service, forwarding itself as a file called ¡°latestpics.tgz¡± to an infected user's buddy contacts, according to the Sophos Web site.

    Clicking on the file allows the malware to install and disguise itself as a harmless-seeming Jpeg icon.

    "This first Macintosh OS X threat is an example of the continuing spread of malicious code on to other platforms," said Vincent Weafer, senior director at Symantec Security Response, in a statement.

    The worm will not automatically infect Mac computers, but will ask users to accept the file, Weafer said.

    Symantec has rated the worm a low-risk security threat. Enditem

(Agencies)