WEST Mercia Police are reminding people to be aware of an email scam that leaves a virus on computers and allows criminals to access personal data.

A malware scam is where the virus is hidden in an attachment on an email, which the recipient opens.

This virus then tracks a computers user's details and other information such as what websites are visited, personal data such as usernames, passwords and log in details, as well as being able to access online banking information.

Ransomware is another virus which, once downloaded, encrypts all the files on a machine and any server it is attached to.

Action Fraud reports the victim is then hit with a ransom demand, which the scammers claim if paid can then unlock the files. The ransom being demanded is in online currency Bitcoin.

Recent ransomware emails have claimed to be from British Gas, the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice.

For more details on the scams, or to report a suspicious email, visit actionfraud.police.uk.