LUV 2 INFECT U

Before you click on that e-card from your sweetie this Valentine’s Day, read this. Millions of e-mails disguised as e-cards, but actually containing a computer virus believed to be from Russia, are sent out on various holidays throughout the year. Innocent and lonely computer users looking for a little romance on Valentine’s Day click on the e-card hoping for a love note from their special someone, and instead their computer is immediately, but secretly, infiltrated by the virus. The computer is then controlled by the people who sent the virus, and they can launch commands to send more spam e-mails or other criminal activity such as identity theft. The virus has been around for years, but experts say spammers take advantage of the holidays hoping people will be more likely to open e-cards. "This virus always occurs around the holidays because people are more likely to click on a link that says they’ve received an e-card," said Korin Munsterman, the director of the Office of Technology at American University. So tomorrow, consider saying, "I love you" the old-fashioned way, in person. Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.