[Rhodes22-list] Warning - Postcard Virus, etc.

[Robert Skinner]

Friends:

Looks like another snare out there.  This one is based on 
an offer of an ecard supposedly sent by a friend.  But 
when you click on the embeded link, you get infected with 
a virus that makes your PC a zombie for some outfit 
(suspected to be in Russia) that will use your machine to 
send messages to whoever.  These massages can contain 
viruses - and are delivered with your by-line.  So you 
may be blacklisted or worse.

To get the "official" word on this problem, check snopes:

   http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/postcard.asp

The most troublesome aspect of this kind of scam is that 
any embedded link in any message could point you to the 
source of the infection.  For example, the link that 
supposedly came from your brother about a joke that you 
just have to see may be pointing to the infection site.

So how do you defend yourself?

Most email packages will show you the contents of a 
"Click Me" link.  Look at them to see if they make 
sense.  Few English jokes originate in Russia...

If you don't know how to look at a link before you go 
to it, you would do well to learn how.  Read the Help 
on your email package, talk to others who also use 
your software, of call up your son, daughter, 
brother-in-law, etc. to find out.

Clicking on a link without knowing something about it 
is like leaving your keys in your car in downtown D.C.  
You are inviting trouble.

Check out ZoneAlarm

   www.zonelabs.com

and Spyware Doctor

   http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor-antivirus/

for a couple of effective problem preventer/detectors.

-- 
Robert Skinner  "Squirrel Haven" 
Gorham, Maine         04038-1331
s/v "Little Dipper" & "Edith P."