BitPay, a global bitcoin payment service provider, on Friday notified bitcoin users to be on the lookout for a new virus affecting some bitcoin purchases.

The company said that its support team received several reports about the new virus. Though it believes that the virus is not widespread, BitPay has provided some tips for recognizing and avoiding the Trojan.Coinbitclip virus.

BitPay explains that the Trojan.Coinbitclip virus attacks a computer's clipboard. When the bitcoin user copies and pastes the bitcoin address of his intended recipient, the valid bitcoin address is changed to a bitcoin address controlled by the attacker who introduced the virus. The attacker's bitcoin address (which often looks very similar to the original address) receives the funds.

“This virus has not compromised any wallets or payment systems. Instead, it's introduced into Windows computers through malicious software or email attachments”, BitPay added.

If a user believes that one or more of their devices have been infected (they sent a bitcoin payment which did not arrive to its intended destination), BitPay advises them to take the precaution to review their payment details before sending.

“With some extra attention to detail, it's possible to spot this attack every time”, BitPay explained

Symantec assembled a detailed report on other characteristics of the virus and the steps users can take to prevent it such as enforcing a password policy, disabling AutoPlay, using firewall etc. As bitcoin payments cannot be reversed, BitPay recommends regular security checkups on the devices used for holding and spending bitcoins.