Blaming the fact that staff used Linux operating systems on their production machines for "not noticing sooner", it advised concerned users to load some up-to-date antivirus software and "make sure your system is clean".

BBC: Scareware launched from tech blog

The MSCI Brazil (EWZ) exchange traded fund is down 8.73 percent year to date while the iShares FTSE China Xinhua 25 (FXI) ETF, the second worst performer due to a load of bank and real estate shares in that particular fund, is down 5.38 percent.

FORBES: Brazil's B In BRICs Stands For Boring