There is an email virus causing local residents a few issues.

Tim Dueck is the assistant manager at eBytes Computers in Steinbach. Dueck says the virus comes via email as a reply from a previous conversation with someone and says 'I have a proposal for you' with an attachment. He notes the hope is because it's a reply to a previous conversation, the victim won't think twice before opening the attachment.

Dueck explains once the attachment is open a virus is released and this virus scans all your contacts and previous email conversations and sends out the same email, infecting other unsuspecting victims. He adds the virus is not specfic to an email carrier and can affect users from mtsmail to gmail to yahoomail, and so on.

He notes, at this time, the virus doesn't appear to be causing anything malicious, however, as long as the virus is active on the computer, it will continue to send out emails from your account to your contacts.

Dueck adds you can attempt to scan and remove the virus with an anti-virus program or bring it into your nearest computer store.

He says tips to help stay protected include keeping Windows up-to-date, using an anti-virus program, and being cautious with email attachments. Dueck notes if you're ever unsure about an email or an email attachment, call the person who sent it to you adding a five-minute phone call could save you from getting a virus.