Hijack Alert: National Bank goes bankrupt?!

Here's a breed of spam that's still sufficiently novel that people will take the bait. Attempts to hijack computers via web browsers are taking over where viruses left off. Don't get me wrong: there are a lot more viruses out there than web-jacking attempts, but the latter category has the greater growth as a percentage.

The basic outline is this: the malicious party sends out spam with a link to a website. The cover story is usually some spectacular news story, but it can also be something as simple as "Tiffany has sent you an e-card!" All the malicious party wants you to do is click that link. The actual website you reach could be completely blank, or it could be a site selling Viagra pills, or whatever: the kicker is the part you don't see. Behind the scenes, that web page will be loading various bits and pieces which attempt to gain control of your computer.

If you use Microsoft Windows and you've been suckered into following a link like this, you had better assume your computer has been compromised. Disinfecting such a computer is a very tricky job, and I can't offer any simple advice as to how one goes about it, sorry.

Here's an example of a hijack attempt I received a short while ago. Follow the link at your own risk.

People starting panic withdrawals, some of the accounts were reported 
closed due to technical reasons, many ATMs are not operating. 
Does it seem that one of the Australia's greatest goes bankrupt? 
 
The full story could be found here: http://www.saltnlight-e.com/news.php
 
Well, hope that isn't true... Anyway You'd rather check your balance...