There's a new virus nowadays that attacks computers via Skype. If you have it - it's possible that you'd get an email FROM ONE OF YOUR CONTACTS with a message: "Have you seen the last pix of <<Some girl's name>>? {URL}". Thus the virus spreads across your contacts, and then, if you click on the link - your computer will be infected.

Beware - the epidemic only started a few days ago. If you get that message from someone you know - ask a person, if they really sent it (a bot would not have a logical answer ready for that).

Take care,
abminara.

Ah another skype virus, it seems these have become very popular this year as a few more like the one you mention above use the same concept to sucker people into clicking the link. It was a couple of months ago that Skybe shutdown because of a windows update that messed with the system, I think it took a couple of weeks for them to fix that, but not to sure though.

I guess new virus again will add some new chalange for those whose field is in security, isn't that right?

I got the same virus about 6 months ago, but via MSN not Skype!

I know, I had it, too, via ICQ, but then it stopped. Now there's a new wave showing on the horizon:)

'Tis the age of computer viruses...

Seriously, there is and forever will be viruses and the best tool we have is our heads! A lot of people will say you need an Anti-virus but that's not really true. You only really need an AV if you practice poor computer management or have usage habits that involve risky or gray material. An AV fixes (or at least attempts to) the damage or infection of the virus making it a passive defence, whereas using one's head - not clicking the link, and be more aware is a proactive defence.

In a way - yes... but for some part I disagree with you. Most of the time viruses come to you while you're downloading some software that's aparantely distributed for free, but has a "gift" attached to it, which you don't know about till it evolves. On the other hand, you cold spend money and buy that same program with a licence from a retailer for more money and get it risk-free, but isn't it cheaper to buy a good antivirus and thus save on freeware? I mean... It's pretty much a delema between cost and convinience. As for me - second always comes first.

True. I agree to a degree; freeware and even cracked software is a high risk area, but with a little diligence you can download illegal software from a questionable site and not get infected, it's just that the average user is not knowledgeable or can't be bothered to take extra steps. Then again it could some sort of computer virus apathy I literally saw a girl say "Look at this virus I got!" and opened the email attachment on the school network...

Anyhow, the best way to avoid viral infection (or at least minimize the damage) is to run a limited user account with no password. I was going to say "Don't DL questionable stuff" but let's get real.

Oh, well, when it comes to opening files on computer other than mine - I'm totally fine with that. Why do you mention password-free accounts?What's wrong with password protection?

The bad stuff about illegal software is that you can actually get caught:) I prefer cracked one, or licensed with license key from the web (which is risky also, by the way.)