So you get an email from the FBI -- yes the Federal Bureau of Investigation -- that says the Bureau's Internet Fraud Complaint Center has been "monitoring" your internet use and found you have been visiting some "illegal" Web sites. Well, be warned! The email is not from the FBI and if you open the attached questionnaire, you'll get yourself a new computer virus.
Unsolicited email messages claiming to be from the FBI contain a virus-riddled attachment, warns the Federal Bureau of Investigation. These scam e-mails tell the recipients that their Internet use has been monitored by the FBI’s Internet Fraud Complaint Center and that they have accessed illegal web sites. The e-mails then direct recipients to open an attachment and answer questions. The attachments contain the virus.
These e-mails did not come from the FBI. Recipients of this or similar solicitations should know that the FBI does not engage in the practice of sending unsolicited e-mails to the public in this manner.
Opening e-mail attachments from an unknown sender is a risky and dangerous endeavor as such attachments frequently contain viruses that can infect the recipient’s computer. The FBI strongly encourages computer users not to open such attachments.
The FBI takes this matter seriously and is investigating. Users receiving e-mails of this nature are encouraged to report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Buy Books on Online Safety
"Cyber Safety for the Whole Family," by Mike Sullivan
How To Protect Yourself and Your Children Online
