Computer viruses continue to plague e-mail

It seems as if every few days a new computer virus shows up in e-mailboxes. The problem is growing, taxing the resources of information technology professionals as they try to maintain a secure, virus-free network. “By now, I think most people know the basic formula for these things,” said Kathy Kimball, director of computer and network security in Information Technology Services (ITS) at Penn State. “The e-mail may appear to be from someone you know, but the message inside is poorly worded, or not in the usual style of e-mail from that sender. And there’s an attachment included that you’re urged to open.”

In addition, several copies of the same e-mail, from different senders, typically arrive at the same time or within a short period of time. As usual, Kimball cautions people not to click on these unexpected attachments.

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