Originating in the Philippines eight months ago, the Cabir virus has spread slowly into 12 countries, including the United States. A strain was detected in a store in Santa Monica, California on Monday.

"It's interesting (the Cabir variant) has now been found in the United States, but it's not the end of the world," said Mikko Hypponen, director of Finnish anti-virus research company F-Secure.

The Cabir virus only affects Symbian OS smartphones with no permanent damage; draining the battery and replicating itself.

With over 15 variants found thus far, coders are getting more sophisticated. However the danger is small at the moment. Unlike computer viruses which spread quickly through the Internet, Cabir spreads slowly because it travels over short distances between devices through Bluetooth wireless technology.

Cabir has been found in countries ranging from China to the United Kingdom.

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