People are ignoring a free email application which could lessen the impact of viruses, according to Microsoft.

The company said that computer users could minimise the impact of viruses such as SirCam and Badtrans with its Outlook Email Security Update.

However, although this downloadable update makes the Outlook program significantly more secure and has been available from Microsoft's website for more than a year, the company claims that fewer than one per cent of Outlook users have installed the patch.

Many viruses and worms spread by sending themselves to email addresses gleaned from an infected computer's system files.

The free update blocks the receipt and transmission of most of the email attachments that typically can contain virus or worm code. It also stops malicious code from spreading by blocking unauthorised access to Outlook and its address book.

Critics of Microsoft point out that accessing the company's patches can be fraught with difficulties and a more user-friendly webpage for updates should be created for the average user.www.office.microsoft.com/ Downloads/2000/Out2ksec.aspx