Active Computer Viruses Hit New High - Protection Reminder

[GhostShip]

Folks it looks like we are facing a much larger threat than we have done for many years in the shape of the large number of "active" computer viruses

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7340315.stm

The number of viruses, worms and trojans in circulation has topped the one million mark.
The new high for malicious programs was revealed by security firm Symantec in the latest edition of its bi-annual Internet Security Threat Report.

The report notes: "almost two thirds of all malicious code threats currently detected were created during 2007."
Cyber criminals pump out malware to fool anti-virus programs which look for characteristics they have already seen.
Typically, groups engaged in hi-tech crime employ groups of programmers to generate the novel variants.

I hope I don't have to state that you can obtain free anti virus programs to protect yourself from many of the more virulent threats and firewalls are not just useful for detecting potential attackers probing your machine they can often be the first sign that you are already infected as the nasty ware tries to contact its base, getting infected is not half as bad as knowing some guy in eastern Europe is going to enjoy spending the contents of your bank account.

Please ensure your machine is protected with up to date anti-virus software, prevention is better than cure.

[]-[êll.Ôñ.ËÀR'][']-[.]

No wonder the figures have gone up so much Symantec would recognise santa as a virus these days if their last few offerings are to go by..... quite novel approach though a anti virus maker/seller  scaremongering.... wonder why 

[GhostShip]

I,m sure they wont benefit from WinMX Users too heavily, most of the folks I know use free solutions and as long as ppl stay away from certain types of website and are careful about what they "accept" from others on their instant mesenger programs the risk is quite a lot lower, but I,m sure you agree, having some protection installed is the favoured approach. 

[White Stripes]

http://free.grisoft.com/ (antivirus with resident scanner.... free antispyware and antirootkit links are there as well)

http://secunia.com/ (click 'scan online' to make sure you dont have any unprotected software... its safe, this isnt a scam site... those who use SWflash (the browser plugin) might be in for a surprise... needs java to scan...)