Virgin set to educate users on computer malware
Virgin Media has plans to educate internet users on the harmful effects of malware, malicious software placed unwittingly on computers around the world which not only slows down the PCs, but can also lead to identity theft and even banking fraud. Virgin will be working with not-for-profit organisations during the initiative, and will contact users who are particularly at risk for malware on their home systems in order to inform them of the problem and how to rid their computers of the dangerous software.
According to Jon James, Virgin Media executive director, malware not only affects computers, it affects people’s lives. He went on to say that many users will visit innocuous-looking web sites without even a thought of the potentially harmful consequences, and after leaving the sites, have malware installed on their personal computers. Mr James also said that ISPs have a responsibility to do whatever they can to help internet users avoid the malware problem.
A recent study discovered that UK consumers and businesses have lost a whopping one million dollars from their bank accounts due to a Trojan virus, a particularly virulent form of malware. The Trojan prompted users to log in to their bank accounts, and transferred money to offshore accounts without their knowledge.