Cyber clues link US to new computer viruses

BOSTON (REUTERS) - Researchers have found evidence suggesting that the United States (US) may have developed three previously unknown computer viruses for use in espionage operations or cyber warfare.

The findings are likely to bolster a growing view that the US government is using cyber technology more widely than previously believed to further its interests in the Middle East.

The US has already been linked to the Stuxnet Trojan that attacked Iran's nuclear programme in 2010 and the sophisticated Flame cyber surveillance tool that was uncovered in May.

Anti-virus software makers Symantec of the US and Kaspersky Lab of Russia disclosed on Monday that they have found evidence that Flame's operators may have also worked with three other viruses that have yet to be discovered.