I have received three e-mails from what is supposed to be the Renderosity management with the main message being something about my account will be unavailable due to improper usage or that the server will be down for maintenance and that I must follow the instructions in an attachment that is password protected using a 5-digit number. When trying to open the attachment, nothing happens. I suspect, therefore, that these are viruses. I have also received similar e-mails from another e-mail provider that I use, so this does not appear to be Renderosity-specific. Text of message: From: (either) management@, staff@, support@ renderosity.com. Dear user, the management of Renderosity.com mailing system wants to let you know that, Your e-mail account will be disabled because of improper using in next three days, if you are still wishing to use it, please, resign your account information. For more information see the attached file. In order to read the attach you have to use the following password: 75682. Sincerely, The Renderosity.com team http://www.renderosity.com (link to attachment located here)

Yup, that's a virus spoof. I've been getting them from a faux Yahoo, and a faux American Greetings. Whatever you do, don't open the @#$@$%!@ attachment!

"Your e-mail account will be disabled because of improper using in next three days, if you are still wishing to use it, please, resign your account information." As usual, clunky English-as-a-second-language gives the game away. m.

I've received several similar emails yesterday & today. Here's a copy of the one I got today & way at the bottom a note where my ISP filters removed something that could have been virus. Whatever it is, I don't want it. Dear user of Clover.net, Your e-mail account has been temporary disabled because of unauthorized access. For more information see the attached file. Cheers, The Clover.net team http://www.clover.net -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **** NOTE #tMIJ310a: A potentially dangerous file attachment (Message.pif) has been deleted from this message. Contact your system administrator for details. ****

This is running rampant online now. I received a warning from my ISP that an email was being circulated addressed from my ISP and the warning from my ISP read: Virus Alert -"DO NOT OPEN" Now a bit of common sense will head off any problems of this sort...the attachment is supposedly a password protected zip file and the password appears in the text body!! [Think about that one for a minute.] You just never, ever, never open attachments that can contain malicious code even if the message comes from someone you consider a reliable source. Whatever great goodies the attachment contains cannot be worth the risk.

The thing that really made me wonder is: I get e-mail from "myself" - I am listed as both the sender and the receiver. The e-mails are for porn sites (naturally), so the "improper use" caught my attention. I am in the process of deleting that account and setting up another one, especially since I get about 150 - 200 spam a day. Thanks to all who read and posted.

Pretty well all of these viruses spread because people are daft enough to download and open attachments without thinking. It's getting near to the time when basic computer do's and dont's will have to be taught in infant school, like how to cross the road' anddon't talk to strangers'. m.

Probably a bit OT for this thread...but another great online threat, especially to newbies, is the 'hoax' email. A legitimate looking email encouraging people to delete certain files from their computer because they are 'known' to contain dangerous code. I receive at least 2 or 3 of these a month forwarded from certain of my well-meaning friends and relatives. I have a standard email reply archieved that I send these people along with the Norton site link that lists these various hoaxes. This standard reply also contains info regarding the dangers of opening email attachment.

Ah, yes, delete the file with the teddy bear icon. That freakin' hoax has been going on for at least 5 years, and it just keeps on going. rolls eyes