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Watch out for swine flu scams

Posted Apr 29 2009, 10:52 AM by Karen Datko
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This post comes from partner site ConsumerAffairs.com.

It didn't take scammers long to latch on to the latest hot-button topic to try to make a quick buck. Scams built on fears of swine flu are proliferating quickly across the Internet.

The U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team issued an alert this week warning of a number of e-mail scams related to the swine flu. The attacks arrive via an unsolicited e-mail message typically containing a subject line related to the swine flu.

"These e-mail messages may contain a link or an attachment. If users click on this link or open the attachment, they may be directed to a phishing Web site or exposed to malicious code," the alert said.

US-CERT encourages users to take the following measures to protect themselves:

  • Filter spam.
  • Don't trust unsolicited e-mail.
  • Treat e-mail attachments with caution.
  • Don't click links in e-mail messages.
  • Install antivirus software and keep it up-to-date.
  • Install a personal firewall and keep it up-to-date.
  • Configure your e-mail client for security.

To stay informed about swine flu, US-CERT says you should rely on trusted sources of information, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Also, be highly skeptical of unknown Web sites with the words "swine flu" in the domain name. Online security firm F-Secure reports that dozens of new swine flu domain names were registered in the last few days. F-Secure said some of these sites are already offering ways to "protect your family from this crazy flu."

Related reading at ConsumerAffairs.com:

Swine flu: What you need to know

No reason to panic over swine flu

Feds deny Nutro investigation; witnesses say otherwise

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Comments

 

David, I hope you get the Texas FLU!!!  Because that is where all started ignorant.

elies (Posted 04.29.09 12:58 PM ) Report Abuse

How about this -->  www.google.org/flutrends

Nobody Important (Posted 04.29.09 12:59 PM ) Report Abuse

well this is what happens when ya put lipstick on a mexican pig .....

SO WHAT (Posted 04.29.09 1:00 PM ) Report Abuse

no bob bob if it were bull that would be cow flu or bovine flu

david (Posted 04.29.09 1:22 PM ) Report Abuse

The Spainish flu started in the US. It's called the spanish flu because during WWI Spain was the country would reported it the most. Check you facts before you post david.

Priss (Posted 04.29.09 1:35 PM ) Report Abuse

To Monica and David: Yu are both lame and pathetic. To call you ignorant would be an insult to ignorant people. Get your facts staright.*Supposedly*  the virus was first detected in Canada. However, this seems to be a scam of the world goverments to get more money injected in the economy. They are causing a panic so people purchase medications to get well. Where are all of the bodies that *died*? What are the names of the people that died? What about the relatives? Please......

HBK (Posted 04.29.09 1:40 PM ) Report Abuse

"BabBob" is trying to pull a scam right here on this comments section. Who in their right mind would not recognize that?

Dennis (Posted 04.29.09 1:48 PM ) Report Abuse

Okay, this particular flu is a swine flu virus that was carried by pigs.  People who work with or near pigs do occasionally get the flu from the pigs through direct contact, but this strain (that is a SWINE flu) has mutated and is being passed from human to human now.  That is what has health officals so concerned...the mutation of the virus.  The human immune system is not well equiped to handle this virus and with the new mutation making it able to travel via the air from human to human it has a greater potential to cause deaths.  It is not dissimilar to the 1918 outbreak of the flu in the symptoms that have been discribed and the fact that people with healthy immune systems are more likely to die from it than the very young or very old that we normally see die from the usual flu strains we have dealt with in the past.

Constance MacGregor (Posted 04.29.09 1:56 PM ) Report Abuse

HBK, and I suppose you believe in aliens as well? LOL..... You want me to get my facts straight when all you are stating is your twisted theories. It is only 3 o'clock in the afternoon, could you save the bedtime stories for later. PLEASE............

Monica (Posted 04.29.09 2:05 PM ) Report Abuse

Swine flu is a Scam to scare people into purchasing pharmaceudical drugs Relenza and Tamiflu.  Neither drug works on Prevention or Cure. These drugs  MAY shorten your flu symptoms by ONE day.  Both drugs can cause DEATH in people with asthma.  Do your research people.  Be wise and use common sense.  

truthseeker (Posted 04.29.09 2:11 PM ) Report Abuse

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