Antivirus Advice - bits of advice to keep your computer safe

Several security companies (McAfee, Sophos) are currently warning their users about a widespread scam that is targeting Facebook users per email.

The attackers are sending out emails that claim that the Facebook password has been changed and that a new password can be found in an attached document.

The attachment is called “Facebook_details_[some number].zip”. This attachment is malicious and should not be opened. If you have a solid antivirus program, chances are good that the attachment will be detected. You want free antivirus protection? Take a look at our list of free antivirus programs for Windows.

Here are a few clues that this message is (and others like it are) fake:

• It has an attachment: big, reputable sites like Facebook never send out emails with attachments — especially not on password or account alerts
• It’s addressed to “user of facebook”: Facebook knows your real name, and they use it when they email you.
• The tone is too casual: an actual “safety alert” from Facebook would be written in a much stronger tone.
• It’s too short: warnings from popular sites tend to be wordy. Bad guys, on the other hand, are usually lazy and won’t bother to write a lengthy message.
• “facebook” isn’t capitalized: that’s a stylistic gaffe you’d never see on an official Facebook message.
• Facebook doesn’t email new passwords: when you do a reset, for example, they’ll send a random code to your inbox and a link to a form where you can create a new password.

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