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University Team Says "Official" Government Message Really Dangerous Computer Virus
November 24, 2009 1:14 p.m. EST
 
Topics: Business, Technology, United States
 
Melvin Baker - AHN Reporter
 
Birmingham, AL (AHN) - An official-looking message from the U.S. government is actually a computer virus that will steal personal identification and empty bank accounts.
The malware disguised to look like a message from the Social Security Administration was discovered Monday by a computer forensics team at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Recipients are asked to input their Social Security number to received information from the agency.
In reality, clicking on the e-mail releases a virus that can steal personal information including bank passwords, reported Gary Warner, director of computer forensics at the university and head of the UAB Spam Data Mine that discovered the virus.
Warner said that in a period of 30 minutes on Monday the data mine received 600 samples of the spam. "So we have not only uncovered a very new campaign, but a quick-spreading one as well," he said.
He advised that e-mail messages from companies or government agencies requesting account updates should not be considered legitimate.
 
 
 
  
 
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