for Feb. 4, 2004

Hi, All;

This week: Phishing and the MYDOOM Virus

We probably all know what "Phishing" is; you probably have had a Phishing lure in your inbox. This is the email you get from a well known company, one that you probably have done business with, or one asking you to verify an order from a company, indicating you need to update your personal and account data on their web site. They even give you a link to their account update web page, allowing you to dutifully reenter all your credit card, birthdays, and other personal data, thinking that you are keeping your account updated.

BUT, what you have done is give a crook all your personal and credit card information!

This is "Phishing (fishing): the crooks are fishing for information. If you did not initiate the action and are not sure why you are being asked for your personal information, DO NOT continue--you may be getting scammed.

If you want to check your information, go to the company's web site that you key in on your browser (don't use the supplied link) and verify your information. Many companies want to see a copy of the email you got and will supply you with an address to send it to so they can try and catch these crooks. Make sure they want it before you sent it, though. Also, you can call the company's help line and talk to a real person.

A new Virus, "MYDOOM," is making its rounds, and it can be detrimental to your data on your hard drive, as it leaves a backdoor into your PC. To find out if a computer is infected, do the following: Click Start, and then click Search. Click For files and folders. In the file name box, type ctfmon.dll. If that file exists on the computer, the computer is infected with Mydoom.B, and you need to contact your PC support, get an anti-virus program or do an online virus scan. Otherwise, the computer is not infected with the virus.

'Til next week, (ComputerFAQ#175)

Robert

 

Please send your questions to

Feb. 4, 2004 Phishing and the MyDoom virus

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