There are ways to protect your computer

The next time you get an e-mail with what appears to be link to a news story, watch out. Cyber-criminals have started using fake news headlines to spread computer worms and viruses.

According to the Internet security site MessageLabs, some e-mails use fake headlines from real news events, such as the recent earthquake in China. Others are celebrity-centered. Two new "spam clusters" related to presidential candidate Barack Obama surfaced just last month.

Viruses sent by e-mail are nothing new. "We see it all the time, constantly," said computer technician Joe Case.

But viruses in the form of fake news are. Unless you subscribe to news outlets, Case says, it's a trap.

"News organizations don't send you e-mail out of the blue, whether it be about Barack Obama or whatever," said Case.

FOX21 received six such fake e-mails in just one day, with subjects like, "Obama caught with pants down," "Drug related shooting leaves two NFL stars fighting for their lives" and "Paris Hilton stabbed by stalker."

"That's the whole key to it, to grab your attention, make you click on that link, and they've gotcha," said Case.

Gotcha with an infection that can slow down, even ruin your computer.

Case said, "Some are so bad I can't even get them out, and then you're looking at a reinstall, and that will cost you information."

Which is why it's best to avoid the infection in the first place.

"Just remember, if it's somebody you don't know, don't read it. It's that simple," Case added.

He says there are ways to protect yourself in case your computer gets infected:

• Back up computer information frequently
• Run anti-virus software at least once a week
• Pay attention to how your computer acts so you will notice something is wrong early-on.