Please forgive me for the title of this post - it is ever-so-slightly tongue-in-cheek. The Swine Flu itself cannot actually steal your personal information. However, cyber-criminals are using concern about the Swine Flu to spread an ugly, old problem.

Analysts from Symantec announced today that a document titled "Swine influenza frequently asked questions.pdf" has been circulating around the internet. While the document contains real questions and answers about the Swine Flu, it also contains an ugly piece of malicious software known as an 'infostealer'. An infostealer's sole purpose is to steal your information - it will log your key strokes, capture screen shots and monitor your internet activity.

Particular kudos should go to Kevin Haley (the author of the Symantec post) who wrote, "Protect yourselves and your computer from the human swine that prey on our desire for information to keep us healthy." I could not have said it better myself - there is something inordinately evil about using legitimate health concerns to spread malicious software. Please be safe and healthy - both online and off!