Privacy, Hacking and Virus Alerts

The junk traffic generated by Sober has bogged down e-mail systems at some of the nation’s largest Internet service providers.

They propose developing a network of "honeypot" computers, distributed across the internet and dedicated to the task of combating viruses.

The e-mail is an identity theft "phishing" scam that tries to fool recipients into revealing personal and financial information.

Both of these freebies can be installed only on home computers that aren’t put to any business or commercial use.

It’s being called the worst computer worm of the year

If some of the numbers being cited about identity theft are to be believed, it’s just a matter of time before some unseen cyberhustler steals your name, empties your bank account and wrecks your financial reputation. You can almost hear the maniacal laughter.

Some are not shy about exaggerating the problem while making their sales pitch.

A firestorm quickly erupted over what appeared to be an attempt by the music company to retain control over its intellectual property by secretly installing hidden software on the PCs of unsuspecting customers.

When a machine is compromised with such software, it gives hackers the ability to execute remote commands and install anything they want on the vulnerable PC.

The e-mail, making its rounds locally, shows "Wells Fargo" as the sender and has the subject "Update Your Wells Fargo Accounts!"