- Trojans: the silent epidemic -
Oxygen3 24h-365d, by Panda Software (http://www.pandasoftware.com)

Nowadays there is an alarming number of cyber-crooks on the Internet with high levels of expertise in the latest digital fraud techniques. One of the favorite tools of these criminals is the Trojan, which can silently infiltrate users' computers.

A common mistake is to think that your computer cannot possibly be of interest to Internet criminals. Have never used your credit card number or bank account details over the Web? Have you never used any kind of online service -where your bank details are available- to check phone or electricity bills? Doesn't your ISP have an area where you can edit your personal details? Cyber-crooks know all about these things. They know that the information they want is within reach, and all they need is the right tool to extract it... the Trojan.

Trojans don't usually spread via email - as this is not subtle enough. Often they are hidden in programs downloaded from the Internet or exploit a vulnerability to infect computers simply when the unsuspecting user visits a website.

Unlike other viruses or worms -although there are exceptions- Trojans don't delete files, display silly texts or even send infected emails. Nevertheless, Trojans can steal all types of information, or let an attacker into your system, or even give someone else complete control over your computer.

Trojans can also be used to let hackers use your Internet connection and launch attacks from your computer. This means that the victim of the attack will think you are responsible, not the hacker. This technique of using PCs as 'zombies' can also link up several computers to make it even more difficult for the real source to be detected.

So to think that all you need to protect yourself from today's Internet threats is caution and common sense, is at best foolhardy. There is no
substitute, if you really want to stay out of danger, for a good, antivirus updated at least once a day.