FBI Issues Valentine's Day E-card Virus Alert

The FBI issued the following press release yesterday, reminding internet users not to open e-cards from unknown senders. Please remind all your friends to stay internet virus safe.

[Reprinted from the FBI website—www.fbi.gov]

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release February 12, 2008	Washington D.C. FBI National Press Office (202) 324-3691

Internet Alert: St. Valentine’s Day E-Card Carries
Storm Worm Virus

If you unexpectedly receive a Valentine’s Day e-card, be careful. It may not be from a secret admirer, but instead might contain the Storm Worm virus.

With the holiday approaching, be on the lookout for spam e-mails spreading the Storm Worm malicious software (malware). The e-mail directs the recipient to click on a link to retrieve the electronic greeting card (e-card). Once the user clicks on the link, malware is downloaded to the Internet-connected device and causes it to become infected and part of the Storm Worm botnet. A botnet is a network of compromised machines under the control of a single user. Botnets are typically set up to facilitate criminal activity such as spam e-mail, identity theft, denial of service attacks, and spreading malware to other machines on the Internet.

The Storm Worm virus has capitalized on various holidays in the last year by sending millions of e-mails advertising an e-card link within the text of the spam e-mail. Valentine's Day has been identified as the next target.

Be wary of any e-mail received from an unknown sender. Do not open any unsolicited e-mail and do not click on any links provided.

To receive the latest information about cyber scams please go to the FBI website and sign up for e-mail alerts by clicking on one of the red envelopes. If you have received a scam e-mail, please notify the IC3 by filing a complaint at www.ic3.gov . For more information on e-scams, please visit the FBI's New E-Scams and Warnings webpage.

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READ MORE

FBI Press Release	Click here to visit site
FBI New E-Scams & Warnings	Click here to visit site
WiredSafety.org—About Computer Viruses	Click here to visit site