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Tech fix-it-firm, Geek Squad, claims it has been inundated with calls from people with the software on their machines. "We've received a number of calls from customers who have received the Office Poltergeist programme, reporting their CD-ROM drives opening and closing, and strange rumbling noises coming from their machines," says Geek Squad agent, Lee Williams.

"Whilst customers have been genuinely freaked out we have quickly put their minds at rest that it is a prank programme."

However, the Poltergeist could have more sinister implications, according to Williams. "While Office Poltergeist presents itself as being a harmless piece of software the reality is very different," he warns.

"By opening up a back-door to your PC it gives hackers the ability to steal your personal information and so seriously increase your risk of online identity theft.

"Users need to ensure they have software in place and if they believe they have been infected, they should run their virus software and see what it picks up."

The software has been doing the Halloween rounds on sites such as MySpace.