Computer Virus in Valentine ECARD ?

[seabug]

Valentine card virus hijacks computers

February 13, 2008 - 6:55AM
Valentine's Day e-greetings from a stranger could deliver more than the recipient bargained for in the shape of a destructive "Trojan horse" that hijacks computers, the FBI has warned.
"If you unexpectedly receive a Valentine's Day e-card, be careful," the Federal Bureau of Investigation said in a statement, warning internet users to "be on the lookout for spam emails spreading the Storm Worm malicious software (malware)".
"The Storm Worm virus has capitalised on various holidays in the last year by sending millions of emails advertising an e-card link within the text of the spam email. Valentine's Day has been identified as the next target," the FBI said.
The bogus email directs the recipient to click on a link to retrieve an electronic Valentine's Day card.
If the user falls for the ruse, malware will infect their computer or the device they used to connect to the internet and make it become part of a Storm Worm botnet, according to the FBI.
A botnet is a network of computers that, unbeknownst to their users, forward transmissions, such as spam, viruses and malware, to other computers linked to the internet.
Botnets can also be used in identity theft, the FBI warned, urging internet users not to open Valentine's greetings from unknown senders.
AFP


From todays AGE


Regards
seabug

[kingtin]

Yep, Gotta be careful. I got an e-xmas card from one of my sons. The moment I opened it, the computer blocked it. It wasn't in my sons e mail but actually in the card that he'd linked to, at a "reputable" site. Nasty worm it was too, according to the specs at Computer Associates.

[charleville]

Thanks. I will remember that if I receive a Valentine's Day card.

[seabug]

[quote=charleville;765370]Thanks. I will remember that if I receive a Valentine's Day card.


/quote]

Hi Charleville,
Perhaps you better hope it is only a card
Anything more and you might be like a dog chasing a Mini-Minor

Cheers
seabug

[sid_fishes]

i,m hoping someone will send me a card

[charleville]

Hi Charleville,
Perhaps you better hope it is only a card

Nah - I have an Apple Macintosh. We don't get viruses etc on Macs.

[Nic]

Yep, Macs are useful in that way... I would recommend them to any techno-phobes out there who aren't savvy about internet security. Geeks like me can smell a trojan a mile off, but I know not everyone is the same.

[kingtin]

Geeks like me can smell a trojan a mile off,

.

Yeah, I know what you mean.............I'm a bit like that with folk who eat curry. I'm curious? What do Trojans eat?


kev

[charleville]

Yep, Macs are useful in that way... I would recommend them to any techno-phobes out there who aren't savvy about internet security

Yup. I have owned three and each of my (adult) kids owns at least one. One son is a partner in a little company that had software installed in every Mac sold during 2006/7 - 12 million licences in that one deal alone so we are now pretty committed to Macs emotionally as well.

The new macs can run Windows based software as well of course but the only time that I do that is when I do my tax return.

Macs have a lot going for them, not the least being their integration. When you buy a Mac, you plug it in and turn it on and that is all you have to do.

Just quietly between you and me, I have heard that when Microsoft finally makes something that doesn't suck, you'll know that they have started making vacuum cleaners.






.

[Nic]

Yeah, I know what you mean.............I'm a bit like that with folk who eat curry. I'm curious? What do Trojans eat?
kev

Hard drives.

[smiley_doobinator]

Hi guys

Being a systems admin/network engineer i thought i might offer some advice on this topic. Windows machines can be kept secure it takes a little work but can be done.

Firstly and most importantly is ALWAYS and i do mean ALWAYS make sure you have the lastest updates from microcrap sorry i mean microsoft dont listen to anyone who tells you you dont need them you do. Alot of the time they are security fixes and malicious software removal tools.

Secondly install a good antivirus and i did say good, nod32 is always the top of the list of antivirus software reviews and tests. If you dont want to pay for an antivirus then go for avg free edition or Avira antivir. If you have Norton installed then uninstall it and use a different one. Nortons constantly ranks pretty low.

Thirdly install 3 thats right 3, i know its a pain in the ass but its worth it in the long run, anti spyware programs. The 3 I always install are microsoft defender( if you have vista on your pc its already installed) spybot search and destroy and adaware free. they are the best.

Just about all antivirus software will auto update as well as defender however you do have to update the anti spyware yourself and weekly is recommended as new threats are on the loose almost daily nowadays with all the little script kiddies running around. Scan with your anti spyware weekly again a pain in the ass but its worth it and i mean scan with all 3 anti spyware programs. Wow turnign into a long post, sorry for that.

As far as email goes I hate it, it really is the worst thing for me in my job because people just can't be told DON'T OPEN EMAIL UNLESS YOU KNOW WHO THE SENDER IS AND IF IT HAS AN ATTACHMENT DO NOT OPEN IT. Sorry to capitalise that but that is hoiw 90% of bad stuff spreads. True you can still get problems if you know the sender as they may have unbeknownst to them become as was stated in the original post a zombie mailer. The best thing to do is not to open any attachments unless it is a file you are expecting from someone you know. If you suspect an attchment maybe be dodgy delete it and ask the sender if they sent it to you. If so ask them to resend it and you should be right. Follow these steps and you should be ok and remain uninfected. By the way a good free alternative to winblows and macs in linux. If you want to try it out download a live cd and boot that up and have a crack at it. You can even run some windows programs and games on it(you will need a little help with that but just ask) and run windows inside a virtual machine so all the bad stuff doesn't affect you. Anyway just a bit of advice sorry the really long post and if anyone has any questions or wants any advice related to computers and technology just PM me i am more than happy to help.

Jason

[charleville]

As far as email goes I hate it, it really is the worst thing for me in my job because people just can't be told DON'T OPEN EMAIL UNLESS YOU KNOW WHO THE SENDER IS AND IF IT HAS AN ATTACHMENT DO NOT OPEN IT.

Yup. Even with a magical Mac, I won't open emails if I don't know the sender.