Over the past few weeks eight Lab systems have fallen victim to email viruses. In most cases, extremely new variants of email viruses have rendered anti-virus software ineffective. The Computer Protection Program recommends taking precautions to avoid getting infected with a new variant of an email virus that has yet to be detected by anti-virus software.

1. Be suspicious. If you receive an odd email you are not expecting, assume it could be an email virus.
   
   
2. Don't open “.exe,” “.pif,” “.com,” or “.zip” attachments without careful consideration. Most email viruses have one of these extensions.
   
   
3. Be aware of virus writer techniques. Email viruses appear to come from someone you know, commonly called spoofing. Typically the subject and body of the email are designed to get your attention and make you open the attachment quickly, before you can think about it. For example, "We are closing your account unless you open the attachment," or "The pricing information you requested is attached."
   
   
4. Report anything suspicious. If you see an email you suspect of being a virus, please forward to virusmaster@lbl.gov for further inspection.

In general, if you receive an odd email you’re not expecting that appears to be from someone you know, with an extension of .exe, odds are it's an email virus. Please forward the email to virusmaster@lbl.gov.