| With the number of small, home-based | | | | starts spreading in the computer system. The |
| businesses at present, computers and the | | | | usual function of viruses like this is to |
| internet are fast establishing themselves as | | | | weaken network security in order for the |
| essential tools for business management. But | | | | virus writer to infiltrate the system. |
| the active use of computers in business as | | | | |
| means of banking and other financial | | | | Viruses can also infiltrate systems by email |
| transactions has attracted unscrupulous | | | | attachments. This happens when a virus writer |
| individuals. These individuals come up with | | | | programs a virus and sends it to people |
| programs and viruses that are threats to | | | | disguised as a harmless email or attachment. |
| network security in hopes of intercepting | | | | The criminal usually attaches a funny picture |
| important files from home computers. The | | | | or story in the email to entice recipients to |
| Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) at | | | | open it. The recipient, thinking that the |
| Carnegie Mellon University says that there | | | | message is harmless and funny, sends it to |
| are several ways how internet criminals | | | | other people. The virus spreads and disables |
| threaten network security through emails. | | | | network security with minimum effort from the |
| These methods seem harmless and are virtually | | | | writer. Email viruses usually come as |
| undetectable until it is too late. | | | | attachments with hidden or concealed file |
| | | | extensions. Most victims open attachments |
| These threats include: email spoofing and | | | | thinking that these are harmless text |
| email viruses. All these are classified as | | | | documents or images taking note only of the |
| intentional computer misuses but are | | | | ".txt" or ".jpg" in the filename. CERT |
| unwittingly spread by people who are not | | | | advises that the first file extensions are |
| aware of their possible effects on network | | | | not important in an attachment or file. The |
| security. CERT explains that the writers of | | | | important attachment is the last because it |
| the viruses and malicious programs usually | | | | indicates how the attachment functions. |
| exploit the ignorance of most computer users | | | | Extensions like ".exe" or ".vbs" means that |
| to spread their viruses. | | | | the attachment will run as a program once the |
| | | | recipient opens it. |
| Email spoofing happens when emails display | | | | |
| sources other than the original source. The | | | | There are no foolproof ways on how to prevent |
| virus writer or the original source | | | | the spread of malicious programs and viruses. |
| manipulates the virus program to make it | | | | To maintain network security, CERT recommends |
| appear that the source written on the "From" | | | | ignoring strange emails even if these are |
| box is the actual sender of the message. Most | | | | sent by an authority. Verify the messages' |
| cases involve "messages" from network system | | | | origin by calling the agency that "sent" |
| administrators asking the users to modify and | | | | them. For best protection, CERT advises email |
| send them new passwords or other important | | | | users to avoid downloading and saving |
| information. Others report receiving strange | | | | attachments in their computers unless they |
| emails from banks or telephone companies. | | | | have verified its source. Installing |
| The recipient opens the email, thinking that | | | | firewalls and other anti-virus software also |
| it is an urgent reminder. The virus then | | | | strengthens network security. |