Members of the public will have the chance to find out more about the cyber currency bitcoin at a special presentation next week.

The Bay of Plenty Linux User Group will be hosting the presentation by bitcoin enthusiast Uli Fuerst on Tuesday evening.

He'll be discussing where people can use bitcoins in New Zealand, and how to go about buying them.

'Bitcoin is very useful for buying online. I have a few myself, but I'm not what you would call a trader or investor,” says Uli.

'The session is about informing people of the pitfalls as well. Bitcoin has recently had a bit of a bad name, due to the WannaCry ransomware attack. But ransomware has been around for 20 years. Like anything, it can be used for criminal activity.”

The cyber currency was created around nine years ago, and has gone from being worth a fraction of a dollar to NZ$3500 per bitcoin.

'It fluctuates depending on demand, so I wouldn't recommend investing in it for monetary gain – there's a high risk involved.”

Group member and ‘default secretary' Robert Taylor says the small group of Linux users have been meeting every month at the LJ Hooker offices on Cameron Rd.

He's a big fan of Linux, which is a free operating system for computers, chosen as an alternative to Microsoft Windows.

'I don't understand why more people don't use Linux. It's free and safe – I've never had a virus – and many big institutions use Linux,” he says.

The monthly meeting of the Bay of Plenty Linux User Group is on at 7pm, Tuesday, July 4 at the LJ Hooker offices on the corner of Cameron Rd and 8th Avenue.

For more information call Robert on 578 6024.