The Security Mentor

One of the latest viruses propagates itself unusually. It's not an attachment. It uses a toxic link, but it cleverly links to a previously infected machine.

Antivirus programs can't catch it by scanning attachments 'cause it's not in an attachment. Security people can't stop the spread by shutting down the virus writer's link targets because new ones are coming up all the time.

Unless your antivirus program scans web pages before you see them, they won't protect you from the "Bofra" virus.

You can defend yourself by doing any or all of:

• Don't click links unless you know where they go and have some reason to think it's safe.
  


• Delete mail with the subject "hi!", "hey!", or "confirmation" and a message saying "Hi! I am looking for new friends.
  My name is Jane, I am from Miami, FL.
  See my homepage with my weblog and last webcam photos!
  See you!" or "Congratulations! PayPal has successfully charged $175 to your credit card. Your order tracking number is A866DEC0, and your item will be shipped within three business days.
  To see details please click this link.
  DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE VIA EMAIL! This email is being sent by an automated message system and the reply will not be received. Thank you for using PayPal.".
  


• Install FireFox and make it your default web browser. This virus only infects people who use Internet Explorer to open one of the web pages the virus uses to spread itself.