A new worm making its way around the Internet appears to come from a Microsoft support organization. In reality, the e-mail address is forged, and the e-mail contains an executable file that burrows its way into your Windows registry when executed. Update your virus definitions (most of which have already been modified to counter
Security
That evil spammer might just be you
By Tom Mighell on
Posted in Security
Here’s another article on how spammers hijack computers to send spam, this one from the New York Times.
I can’t say it often enough: make sure you are protecting your PC from outside attack, with a good firewall, antivirus program, and spyware detector. Otherwise, you might become just another spammer.
A flurry of spam lawsuits
By Tom Mighell on
State and federal authorities cracked down on spam last week, filing more than 45 cases against Internet scam artists and spammers.
How many did you get today?
By Tom Mighell on
According to vnunet, most spam arrives in your inbox on a Thursday. What with the amount of spam I get, there are just too many Thursdays in my week.
The Coalition gears up for spam regime change
By Tom Mighell on
The war on spam moved into high gear this week. First, those improbable allies AOL, MSN and Yahoo! have joined together to fight spam.
In the U.S. Congress, two bills are being introduced, both targeting spam from very different angles. The first bill will be introduced by Senator Charles Schumer, and will establish a …
Beware Coronex
By Tom Mighell on
Posted in Security
The Coronex worm is preying on the fears of those affected by the SARS epidemic — so if you get an e-mail with titles such as “SARS Virus” or “I Need Your Help,” think twice before you open that attachment.
Avoiding Iraqi cons
By Tom Mighell on
Posted in Security
I mentioned a few weeks ago that the Nigerian e-mail scam has shifted, now featuring messages from frantic Iraqis trying to smuggle their riches out of the country. Seems that this isn’t the only Iraqi angle that’s getting played, as con artists are using the Iraqi conflict to prey on patriotic Americans.
Two steps forward, one step back
By Tom Mighell on
Even with all the new tools and legislation to fight unwanted junk e-mail, it’s clear we’re losing the battle against spam.
Who’s spying on you?
By Tom Mighell on
Posted in Security
PC Magazine’s cover story this month is Spyware: It’s Lurking on Your Machine. There’s lots of helpful information here on learning about spyware and how to remove it from your PC. For even more information, check out the Spyware Guide — it’s a resource describing which software applications can detect and defeat spyware, an…
Poetic Justice?
By Tom Mighell on
Back in August I mentioned a new anti-spam tool called Habeas. This utility places a trademarked haiku poem into an e-mail header, which allows the e-mail to pass through spam filters unmolested. This week, Habeas filed suit against five entities that allegedly used the trademarked poem without permission. CNet has more on the lawsuits.…