This article is four days old, and I meant to post on it right away. All versions of Windows are affeceted, regardless of whether you’re updated with Windows patches.

One of my customers got infected already, and there was nothing I could do to fix it. By the time I got my hands on the computer, I took the hard drive out, stuck it in another machine, and could not even read the Windows directory anymore.

I got an email today from one of my old computer repair customers in Portland that told me I was sending out viruses, and wondering how I could be so careless.

I know darn well I’m innocent, but trying to explain that to people can be a pain in the neck. Now, when someone tells you that you sent them a virus or a phishing scam, you can just send them a link to this blog post.

Warning - warning - warning - There is no company willing to pay you $20 to take an Ebay customer satisfaction survey. The email starts like this…

“Dear Valued Member,
You have been chosen by the eBay online department to take part in our quick and easy 6 question survey. In return we will credit $20 to your account - Just for your time!” And then it goes on to say they’ll credit your account $20, and blah blah blah.

There’s another virus out there targeting your fears and it’s succeeding in infecting thousands of users that would normally know better.

ZDNet is reporting a new virus that’s spreading via email. It’s taking advantage of everyones concern over the Avian Flu. Subject lines such as “Outbreak in North America” and “What is avian influenza (bird flu)?” are used, and there is a MS Word document attached.

“Phishing” scams are now actually punishable by law in California, Reuters reported Friday. Read the full story here.

That doesn’t mean much to the thousands of people that continue to fall for them on a daily basis, but at least it’s a start. For more information about Phishing, visit AntiPhishing.org.