BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- Sony's MicroVault USB memory stick and fingerprint reader includes software that creates a hidden directory on the computer's hard drive and can make personal computers vulnerable to attack by computer hackers, media reported Wednesday. 

    Researchers said such software that hides itself, which is known as a root kit, leaves room for hackers to secretly infect personal computers.

    Software that is installed on such hidden drives is not only invisible to the human eye; some types of computer security software are unable to detect viruses and other types of so-called malware, or malicious software, stored on them.

    On Tuesday, researchers with McAfee Inc. in U.S. said they had confirmed the vulnerability created by the software.

    "The apparent intent was to cloak sensitive files related to the fingerprint verification feature included on the USB drives," said McAfee spokesman Dave Marcus. "However, software creators apparently did not keep the security implications in mind. The application could be used to hide arbitrary software, including malicious software."

    Sony spokesman Chisato Kitsukawa said he could not immediately comment on the situation.

    (Agencies)