Email Virus Attacks Your Security System
Posted September 10, 2010 7:42 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
There’s a new virus attacking your home computer and it’s spread via email.
The threat goes after your security system and it hit corporate America on Thursday.
According to MSNBC.com, the virus has already been spotted at Coca-Cola, ABC-Disney, Google, and NASA.
Here’s how it works. You’ll receive an email with the subject line “Here You Have.” If you open it, there will be a link inside that asks you to click on a PDF.
But instead of the expected message, you’ll receive a virus – and it will send the exact same message to everyone on your contact list.
After that, the virus goes after your computers security system, deleting software and virus protection.
The one way to prevent the spread? Never open emails – or documents – that you’re not expecting.
And if you’ve already got the bug, PCWorld offers one simple solution: disconnect your machine from the Internet, install the latest version of an antivirus program on a removable drive, then use it to disinfect your machine.
- Use an Internet firewall.
- Visit Microsoft Update to verify your settings and check for updates.
- Subscribe to antivirus software and keep it current. Microsoft Security Essentials is a free download for Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP. For more information, see Help protect your PC with Microsoft Security Essentials. Or go directly to the download page.
- Never open an e-mail attachment from someone you don’t know.
- Avoid opening an e-mail attachment from someone you know, unless you know exactly what the attachment is. The sender may be unaware that it contains a virus.
- Use a standard user account unless you need to use an administrator account. For more information, see Why use a standard user account instead of an administrator account.
