When A Virus Can Destroy Your Life…

A new series of malware is out there which, while it is a virus, the payload is far more damaging. It turns your computer into a repository for porn. After all, where better to store illegal digital information than on someone else’s PC. The problems really arise when the unknowing victim gets caught and then prosecuted – and it can destroy your life and cost you every penny you have to try and clear your name. In one case, Michael Fiola, has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars clearing his name. In this case it was a business laptop that had been infected – the ’solution’ came from discovering that it was a virus which automatically visited sites and downloaded and served content at a speed which a person could not manage manually.

So… what to do.

Firstly – keep those anti-malware subscriptions up to date, as this is not just about lost productivity or even identity theft, it’s much more devastating than that.

Secondly… sometimes, you need to keep an open mind and not jump to conclusions. Auditing systems is sometimes seen as being intrusive, although in this instance it helped to prove the innocence of the user. Protecting employees, especially if they are using company equipment should become a part of the security policy – Innocent until proven guilty and all that. After all, the reputation of your employees reflects upon your company.

Guy Bunker

November 11, 2009 | Filed Under security 

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