Severe Malware Alert 1/21/12 - Be wary of fake Adobe updates & PDF's.

In the past few days I've seen a pattern of infected PC's with the same symptoms.  After doing some digging on the last few machines and asking the owners a few questions, I've confirmed that there has been a very wide spread virus hitting your mailboxes and favorite websites this week.  It is either disguised as an Adobe program update (Flash, Distiller, Acrobat Reader) or is an attached exe on an e-mail with a PDF logo so you think you're simply opening a PDF, (e.g. ESTORNO5540452C.PDF.exe).

To avoid this type of infection,
1) NEVER click a window saying you need to update program xyz, even if it looks legit.  To update that program, you can open it up yourself and have it check for updates directly, usually under the "File" or "Help" menus.  Or go to their website and download the new version.

2) NEVER open an .exe file from ANYONE. Also even if it may look like a word or PDF file because of the icon, it still may be an exe.  Always check the end of the name.

Other than that, keep your Anti-Virus up to date, your Anti-Malware up to date, and your Windows up to date.

~Matthew