Have you received your virus-infected e-mail yet today? I don't know what's up, but in the last week I've received dozens of e-mails with a virus infected attachment or a link to a backdoor Trojan horse. There are three variations and all have one thing in mind--luring me into getting zapped with a nasty payload.

The first has a link to an authentic-looking CNN alert. Click the link (no, don't!--I was speaking metaphorically) and you'll land on a malware-hosting site that attempts to download a malicious executable onto your PC. Read "Fake CNN Alert Still Spreading Malware" for details.

I've also received a smattering of e-mails created by clueless cretins, dopes who haven't taken the time to run a spell checker on their even dopier messages. One tells me my FedEx package hasn't been delivered and asks me to click on the attached zipped Trojan horse to print the invoice. What caught my eye was the tracking number in the subject line, and I worry that some of you might not pay attention to the message and click the link.

But the most malevolent of the bunch has a "click to watch the video" link that purportedly leads to MSNBC's site, but actually sweeps you to a malware site that insists you need to update Flash in order to watch the video. Too many people probably do need to update their Flash applet, so this fool thing is a real temptation. But click "adobe_flash.exe" and you'll get nailed by the EncPk-DA Trojan. You can get a full explanation of the depth and breadth of this exploit in "Fake News Bulletin Spreads Malware."

Protect Yourself With These Security Freebies

Worried about malware? You should be, even though you know the drill. Heck, you've heard it dozens of times: Don't click on links in e-mail; if you're told your PayPal or Amazon.com (or whatever) account needs attention, go to the site directly by typing the site's legitimate URL into your browser. If an e-mail suggests you open an attachment, use your intuitive skills and common sense, and run like hell.

If you don't have protection against malware, at a minimum, grab AVG Anti-Virus, Comodo Firewall Pro, and with 8 million downloads, everyone's favorite, Spybot Search & Destroy, all freebies.

One tool too few people know about is SpywareBlaster, an application that blocks over 10,000 malware sites and tracking cookies while you're browsing. Read more about SpywareBlaster in "Ten Tools to Make Windows Shine."
Quick Aside: We have a whole section of PC World.com dedicated to security issues. Check it out.

Free Tech Support From Microsoft?

Recently lots of Windows XP users have been seeing Service Pack 3 offered when they click the Windows

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