Monday, January 04, 2010

Can I Get a Vaccination for the Computer?

Even though I subscribe to the U.S. consulate's newsletter, I usually just delete it when it arrives in my inbox. However, one title caught my eye today:

"H1N1 Malware and Vaccination"

At first I thought that malware part had to be a typo, but then I read on:

"Fake H1N1 (Swine Flu) alerts lead to malware
Be on the alert for a new malware campaign that begins with an e-mail message offering information regarding the H1N1 vaccination."

Really. How ironic is that. You try and keep yourself from getting the flu, and instead the computer comes down with a virus. Go figure. The next part of the newsletter just gave information on where the vaccination was available for people, not for machines.

On a slightly related thought. I was listening to microbiologist Amy Cheng Vollmer on an extra geeky podcast. She had this to say about all the vaccination conspiracy theorists: "The only reason we are having this conversation is because most people have never seen a person with polio." I concur.