Conficker worm stealing identities

NEW YORK, April 13 (UPI) -- A computer worm that has infected millions of computers around the world this month is spreading, a U.S. expert said Friday.

In an appearance on CBS's "Early Show," CNET-TV Senior Editor Natali Del Conte said the computer worm could pose identity theft issues for computer users.

Conficker is masquerading as an anti-virus program called Spyware Protect 2009, which takes users to a bogus security Web site and asks them to pay $50 for a spyware program that is actually the computer worm.

"It infects your computer," Del Conte said. "And it keeps that $50."

She warned computer users to be extra careful.

"We think it's going to self-destruct on May 3," she said. "So, whatever it's doing, it's doing right now. So now is the time to be diligent."