Storm Worm is latest e-mail virus

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: July 30, 2008 - 2:40 PM

Yet another round of spam e-mails that instructs recipients to click on a link that downloads a virus is making the rounds. This time the e-mails include a link that contains an article about the FBI and the popular social networking site, Facebook.

The e-mails come with a the subject that reads "F.B.I. vs. facebook," but the link contains Storm Worm virus that installs malicious software known as malware.

Malware is a program that allows attackers to can gain access to the recipient's computer. With remote access, the attackers can root around the computer and harvest log-ons, passwords and other information stored on the recipient's machine and use that information to commit crimes such as identity theft and phishing, and mass dissemination of spam and spyware, the FBI said.

"The spammers spreading this virus are preying on Internet users and making their computers an unwitting part of criminal activity, " said FBI Special Agent Richard Kolko.

The Storm Worm is the latest in the spate of spam e-mails that have circulated widely in recent weeks. Earlier this month e-mails that purportedly came from United Parcel Service contained a virus. Last week e-mails that told recipients they had been charged for airline tickets landed in thousands of e-mail boxes. A zip file attached to the e-mail contained a virus.

The FBI said people should not to respond to an unsolicited spam e-mail or click on links associated with an unsolicited e-mail. Recipients should access an organization's web site directly rather than following a link to the site.

People should be cautious about opening attachments claiming to contain pictures as those files may actually contain a virus. And in no circumstances should people provide personal or financial information to anybody who solicits it, the FBI said.

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