South Korean scientists say they've developed a way to block computer worms and viruses at the source.

The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) says the new technology can respond automatically and in real-time to ever-changing intrusive programs and prevent them from infiltrating systems and networks.

The Daejeon-based research institute claims the technology, dubbed "ZASMIN," is the first of its kind in the world.

Recently, the International Telecommunication Union adopted the ETRI anti-worm technology as a subject for global standardization.