BLOCKED OUT Minecraft players warned over terrifying hack that could wipe your computer

Don't download any Minecraft skins from the game's website as they may pack a malicious virus that could lay waste to your computer.

AROUND 50,000 Minecraft players have been exposed to a computer virus that wipes a machine's hard drive and deletes backup data and programs.

The malicious software is attached to the downloadable "skins" that can change the look of a player's character in the game.

These add-ons are available on the Minecraft website, potentially putting the game's entire user base of 74million players in harm's way.

Cyber-security software-maker Avast told The Sun that it's been in touch with Minecraft developer Mojang, and is working to fix the exploit.

The company says it blocked 14,500 infection attempts in the last ten days alone.

Avast notes that Minecraft's largest demographic of 15 to 21-year-old players (who account for 43 per cent of its user base) are particularly susceptible to the hac