H1N1 isn’t the only virus you have to worry about catching these days. According to a new report by a Palo Alto security startup, the number of Web pages infected with malware has doubled in the last few months. Time to put on your metaphorical face masks folks, this is an epidemic.

Much like toilet handles, Web-based infections have proven a highly effective form of virus distribution and backward internet criminals (still piggybacking on e-mail attachments? tisk, tisk) are just catching on. Over 5.5 million pages have already been infected.

This new form of virus inoculation—the “drive-by download”—is mainly targeting larger sites, so if you think just steering clear of smaller, sketchy sites will keep you virus-free, think again. Sites for Fox Sports and even (gasp!) the New York Times have been past carriers.

Mac Book Pro: $1200. Norton 360: $79.99. Knowing that a virus won’t strike at 3 a. m. when you’re procrastinating working on your essay: priceless.

Image Source: Quiplash! under Creative Commons
Malware infections double on Web pages [SF Gate]

Posted in: News, Sci/Tech
Tags:computer, computer virus, drive by download, mac, swine flu, trojan, virus
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All ur computer R belong 2 us!

Fourteen computers from an “open activist space” and internet cafe called the Long Haul Infoshop are now at the hands of the UC Police Department due to concerns over threatening emails. UCB spokesperson Robert Sanders confirmed that such emails have been sent. Other than that, folks are still pretty puzzled as to the nature of these threats. Are we talking orange level security? Red?

We also wonder what the officials expect to find on these computers, besides porn and drafts of some kind of “Animals = Friends” constitution.

Our favorite part of the story is the part where a witness describes the police raid as involving broken locks and a shattered wooden door. It wouldn’t be a raid if it weren’t dramatic, now would it?

Image Source: Daily Cal
Basis for UCPD Raid Remains Unclear [Daily Cal]
Threatening Emails Trigger UC Berkeley Raid [KTVU SF]

Posted in: News
Tags:Activist, computer, Computers, Long Haul Infoshop, raid, threat, Threatening emails, ucpd
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