STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

someone sent me the following from their workplace:

Late last month, administrators and service providers began seeing
virus-infected messages with a new type of attachment hitting their mail
servers: an .rar archive. .Rar files are similar to .zip files in that
they are containers used to hold one or more compressed files. The .rar
format is not as widely known as .zip, but it is used for a number of
tasks, including compressing very large files, such as music and video.

Once opened, the archive typically contains an executable file with a
double extension, such as "foto.jpg.exe." The viruses themselves are new
and are usually droppers that install a Trojan or back door on the
user's PC.

One recent .rar virus that appeared at the end of last week is
disguised as a patch from Microsoft Corp (software companies will never
email you patches).

We have already implemented steps to block messages with attachments
containing .rar extensions.  These messages will be blocked by our
Firewall, and by Guardian (our Spam blocking system).

However, please continue to follow these precautions.
-Don't open attachments unless you're expecting them.
- Don't  execute software that is downloaded from the Internet.
-Simply visiting a compromised Web site can cause a virus infection.