Do not open e-mail attachments ending with a “.rar” extension

Computer viruses have found a new method of infection



Virus-infected e-mail attachments ending with the extension “.rar” are slipping past antivirus scanners, causing computer users to assume the files are safe to open.

Solution: Do not open e-mail attachments ending with a “.rar” extension and do not open any e-mail attachments you are not expecting to receive, even if they were sent from a friend or loved one. Use trusted antivirus software and make sure it has been updated with the latest antivirus definitions.

Computer viruses have found a new method of infection: hiding inside “.rar” files attached to e-mails. A .rar is a type of digital container often used to compress and transmit large music and video files. Because .rar files have seldom been used in the past as carriers of viruses, many popular antivirus programs are not programmed to automatically search and block infected .rar e-mail attachments.

Do not to open any e-mail attachments unless you are expecting to receive them and unless you are 100% positive the attachments are safe. If you are uncertain whether or not a friend or loved one intentionally sent you an attachment, simply call him/her or send an e-mail inquiry. The possibility exists that his/her computer is infected with a virus or worm that has sent copies of itself to each e-mail address found on the computer.

The best way to ensure the privacy of the files, credit card numbers, financial statements, and other sensitive data stored on your computer is to patch the holes in Windows by visiting the Windows Update website; use a trusted antivirus program and download the latest antivirus definitions; and use a software and/or hardware firewall to make your computer invisible to hackers while you use the Internet.