Valentine virus on the prowl

By STEVEN PATRICK

PETALING JAYA: Computer users should be extra careful if they receive Valentine's Day greetings via e-mail tomorrow.

Such an occasion almost always attracts senders of e-mail viruses because people are generally more willing to click on such messages at this time.

"Every year there are viruses that take advantage of Valentine's," said Victor Lo, principal consultant at Trend Micro Malaysia Sdn Bhd which markets anti-virus products.

Last year, he said, 30,000 computers were infected worldwide, with about 5,000 in Asia being severely damaged by a virus masquerading as a Valentine's Day greeting.

"You should be careful with every e-mail message, especially those with romantic greetings at this time of the year. It could happen again," he said.

PC users have been warned to be especially cautious if an e-mail is from someone they are not familiar with.

They should also be on the look out for messages that have these headers: "Together You and I" or "Till the End of Time Heart of Mine."

These reportedly contain the Nurech.A virus, said US security company PandaLabs, according to an AFP report.

PandaLabs issued a warning in the United States this week after detecting an increase in the number of electronic messages containing the worm.

There is, however, no report of the worm having made its way to this part of the world.

But you can never be too careful, said Woon Ching Ming, general manager at Symantec Corp.

"It is advisable that users update their anti-virus programs before Valentine's Day," he said.

So, what's a Cupid-struck PC user to do? Send a box of chocolates instead, and in person.