WASHINGTON — Osama bin Laden may be gone, but a computer virus associated with the al Qaeda leader is making the rounds.
The FBI on Tuesday warned “computer users to exercise caution when they receive e-mails that purport to show photos or videos of Usama bin Laden’s recent death.”
“This content could be a virus that could damage your computer,” the FBI said. “This malicious software, or ‘malware,’ can embed itself in computers and spread to users’ contact lists, thereby infecting the systems of associates, friends, and family members. These viruses are often programmed to steal your personally identifiable information.”
The Internet Crime Complaint Center issued a warning not to open unsolicited (spam) e-mails, including clicking links contained within those messages.
“Even if the sender is familiar, the public should exercise due diligence. Computer owners must ensure they have up-to-date firewall and anti-virus software running on their machines to detect and deflect malicious software,” the FBI said.
OTHER STORIES OF INTEREST
- Dalai Lama Suggests bin Laden Killing May Have Been Justified (AP)
- Synagogue Suspect Indicted in Calif. (AP)
- Ex-Miss Russia Jailed in Fake NY Prescription Case (AP)
- Justice Dept. Allowed in Case About S.C. Inmate Reading Material (AP)
- Man Arrested After Putting Hands Up Skirt of Flight Attendant (The Smoking Gun)
- White House Corrects Details of bin Laden Killing (TPM)
- Bin Laden Raid Revives Debate Over Value of Torture (NY Times)
- White House Says bin Laden was Unarmed (AP)
- Retired Supreme Crt. Justice Stevens Urges Congress to Crackdown on Local Prosecutorial Misconduct (Wall Street Journal)
