This is a serious problem, rapidly reported by the CERT, (http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA06-139A.html) as opening a specially-crafted Word document could lead to exploitation of the flaw. This includes documents hosted on websites or email attachments.

Clickbot.A is a Trojan which is part of a system for defrauding 'pay per click' systems, registering fraudulent clicks on adverts which are not actually receiving hits. PandaLabs has uncovered a network with thousands of compromised computers being used for this purpose. It does not spread automatically, but requires user interaction in order to infect the system. These actions can include opening files attached to e-mails, downloading files from the Internet or from P2P file-sharing networks. When run, the Trojan registers as a BHO (Browser Helper Object), allowing it to activate every time Internet Explorer is started. Clickbot.A can update its own code, notify the controller of the botnet that the computer is infected and available, and can be used fraudulently to click on-demand.

PandaLabs has detected a network of computers infected with the bot Clickbot.A, which is being used to defraud 'pay per click' systems, registering clicks automatically and providing lucrative returns for the creators. According to the data collected so far, the scam is exploiting a global network comprising more than 34,000 zombie computers (those infected by the bot).PandaLabs has detected a network of computers infected with the bot Clickbot.A, which is being used to defraud 'pay per click' systems, registering clicks automatically and providing lucrative returns for the creators. According to the data collected so far, the scam is exploiting a global network comprising more than 34,000 zombie computers (those infected by the bot).

Teens can gain Internet access whether at home, at a friend's and even in public places. More than likely, your children are not looking for trouble when they use the Internet. However, teens are increasingly using social networking sites (e.g., MySpace, Facebook, Xanga, etc.) to post their profiles online and build a social network among peers with whom they share common interests. Parents are rightfully wary of the increased use of social networking sites, because of reports of sexual predators soliciting minors by obtaining children's personal information through their postings on these sites.

The complex web of Internet related crimes changes frequently because cyber criminals work feverishly to outsmart Internet safety measures. When a new scheme is unleashed through the Internet that hardly resembles any of its predecessors, even the most sophisticated Internet users can get tricked into it. Therefore, some cyber scams are not unraveled until unsuspecting victims have been lured into them. Whether you think you may have identified a new Internet scam or believe that you have become the victim of an Internet related crime, it is important to report it. Forward thinking agencies have made it easy to report Internet related crimes.

Criminal activity such as industrial espionage, theft of financial information and robbery has entered the 21st-century with the application of the latest technological innovations. Now, hired professional hackers use the Internet to perpetrate swift, silent and targeted attacks, along with many other types of criminal activities.

Spam is a problem that needs to be tackled.

As well as posing a security risk, as it is the main entry-point for viruses and all types of malware, it degrades the global productivity of your company, which can be quantified as significant financial loss.