Although charges have been filed against two men in connection to the well-known Zotob and Mytob computer threats, research shows that knowing is still half of the battle.

	WEEKLY REPORTS Latest Security Updates Top 10 Threats

According to a study performed by Market and Opinion Research International (MORI), while nearly all Internet users can define a computer virus, less than 50 percent can define other key threats including adware, phishing schemes, and key loggers.

MORI interviewed 1,005 adults across Britain, and found that men seem to be more knowledgeable about computer threats, but they also are more likely to be the target of scams and viruses. Forty-six percent of men and 38 percent of women stated that their computer has been infected by a virus. Half of the men interviewed said that they receive excessive amounts of spam, compared to 38 percent of the women.

These numbers are an indication that Internet habits differ greatly between the genders, but they are also a sign that there is room for more education about computer threats.

---

Worry Watch Plus Online only:

Information, Protection and Prevention -- Knowledge and Definitions
• StreamShield?s MORI survey

• Panda Software's Dictionary of Terms General Virus Overview

• Phishing

• Spyware

• Spam

• Team Anti-Virus

---

Latest Security Updates:
Anti-Spyware Product	Latest update	Download
CCleaner (Crap Cleaner)	Version 1.23.160 (Released August 31, 2005)	Click here
Ad-Aware SE	SE1R64 31.08.2005 (Definitions updated August 31, 2005)	Click here
SPAMFighter	Version 3.9.1 (Released August 31, 2005)	Click here
Kaspersky AntiVirus 2006	Version 6.0.13.195 BETA (Released August 29, 2005)	Click here
Spybot Search and Destroy	Version 1.4 (Definitions updated August 26, 2005)	Click here

Go back

* Reading: Solutions, Prevention & Remedies
Additional summary information related to a specific type of solution or prevention that you should be considering. Depending upon the week, this section may have:
• Recent Windows security releases from Microsoft
• Recent updates to widely used anti-spyware programs
• Recent updates to widely used anti-virus programs
• Recent updates to other security programs & devices (ex: Firewalls, routers)
• Recent updates to various applications in wide use

---

Top 10 Threats
Name	Type	Affects	Alert Level
Sdbot.ftp Click to more	Worm	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP	Medium
Netsky.P More	Worm	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP*	Severe
Gaobot.gen More	Worm	Windows 2000, NT, XP*	High
Mhtredir.gen More	Trojan	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP*	Medium
Qhost.gen More	Trojan	Windows 2000, NT, XP*	Medium
Smitfraud.E More	Virus	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP*	Medium
Psyme.C More	Trojan	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP*	Low
Qhost.BP More	Trojan	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP	Low
Tasin.A More	Worm	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP	Medium
Sdbot.EVK More	Worm	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP	Medium

Go back

Read: Top Threats
These are viruses that are currently on the watch lists of major anti-virus software companies.

Name
What the threat is called. We use the name given each virus by Panda Software. Sometimes other anti-virus companies give the same threat a different name. Usually they use similar names.

Type
There are different characteristics associated with different types of threats.
• Virus - has the ability to replicate or infect computers or other programs
• Trojan Horse (or Trojan) - appear to be harmless programs when you get them. They unleash their payload when you double-click, open, or execute them.
• Phishing - a Web site or e-maill message posing as another company - usually one you know to fool you into giving the sender personal information.
• Worm - self replicates onto additional disks, computers or networks
• Spyware - installs on your system to collect information about your activity, preferences or interests
• Hoax - false messages sent by e-maill to mislead the recipient
• Backdoors - opens a security hole that allows outsiders to take control of your computer
• Dialer - uses your telephone to dial an outside number - sometimes a number that costs you money when dialed

Affects
Not all viruses affect all types of systems. Some, for example may affect only Windows 98 and 95, but not Windows XP or NT. Others affect all Windows systems, but not Macintosh. In this column, we show you the consumer systems that the threat is known to affect. We don't always include the servers that operate in your company's backroom.

Alert level
The level of awareness that anti-virus vendors suggest you need to have for each threat listed.
For each threat listed, we'll post a corresponding link here, so you can get more information to help you recognize, diagnose, prevent, and repair the problem.

Worry Watch is compiled by David Radin & Jes Scherder using data and reports from Microsoft, CERT, Panda, and other sources. To contact the compilers of Worry Watch, go to http://www.megabyteminute.com/contactdavid.html

---