Virus protection is a matter of faith

SHINTO FAITHFUL are dragging their computers and gadgets into the local shrine in a bid to protect them from viruses and Trojan horses.

At Tokyo's Kanda-Myojin Shinto shrine, priests are using centuries-old ceremonies to ask the gods for help and protection for computers.

The shrine is near Tokyo's technology hub and popular destination for geeks and the temple's divine protection services are proving popular.

Shinto is a little different from the Church of England in that it offers faithful protection throughout their lives. The CoE usually advises people to always wear an anorak and and extra pair of socks if it gets parky. And your local priest is more likely to pop around for a couple of tea and a slice of cake.

Shinto priests do rituals for practically anything and will pop around to cleanse your house of bad spirits. They will also offer a protection racket for the ancestors. If you do the rituals your dead grannie will tend to leave you alone and not infect your computer with the latest Trojan horse, which is handy.

And about as effective as many commercial software packages out there. µ

L'Inq
IOL