Look out! You think the Swine Flu is bad!

There's a new series of email messages going out, numbering in the millions. Many of them have links to Web sites and those Web sites seem vaguely official.

When you click on the link in the email, you're taken to these official-looking sites, where you're told your version of Flash or your version of Acrobat isn't up-to-date and they offer you the opportunity to download an updated version.

Guess what…the software you download isn't Flash or Acrobat, it's something designed to infect your computer. The trojan attempts to steal confidential information from the computer and upload it to a server in Ukraine.

So let's go over our list of cautions once again, but we'll lead this time with Acrobat and Flash.

Never, ever, ever install Flash or Acrobat from a Web site you're visiting because the site says you need to. If you're not sure you're running the latest version, type http://www.adobe.com directly into your browser's address bar, go to Adobe's site, and download from them.

Downloading Flash and Acrobat from Adobe.com is safe. Downloading these files from anywhere else is not.

Just because repetition often leads to learning, let's go over our steps for safe computing once again:

1. Never, EVER open email attachments UNLESS you’re expecting something from someone….Ever!
2. Update your computer using Windows Update whenever you're told updates are available.
3. Make sure your virus definitions are updated daily.
4. Update your anti-spyware definitions daily.
5. Update your browser to Internet Explorer 7/8 or Firefox 3. These have much better anti-phishing protections.
6. Use a router or firewall. If you don't know what this is, call your ISP and ask them for help. Shouldn't cost you more than $50 and can help keep you safe.
7. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER (I’ll come over to your house and slap you, if you do) give your personal information to ANYONE on the internet.  Your bank, Ebay, Paypal and anyone else you can think of will NEVER ask for your info from a email (even if it direct you to a “official looking” site)…if they really do, drop them FAST!
8. This is a big one…”Lunch is NEVER FREE”!  You DID NOT win a lottery in Africa, you did not loose an millionaire Uncle in South America who left you millions and there is no FREE XBox, FREE Ipod, Free Flat Screen TV….STOP ALLOWING GREED TO JEOPARDIZE YOUR SAFETY AND INDENTITY!

And, once again, don't download Flash or Acrobat from sites other than Adobe. Don't download QuickTime from any site other than Apple.com. Don't open email attachments.

Don't open email messages that look like they're just baiting you. Don't go to questionable Web sites. Don't put your credit card into any site you're not already very comfortable with.

Do visit this site! ;-)

-SuperDale (http://myfamilysafety.blogspot.com)