UNDATED (AP) -- Here's something that should make you get off the fence about waiting to install antivirus software on your computer.
There's now evidence that there are computer viruses that can make you an unwitting collector of child pornography. The same viruses that can be used to swipe your credit card numbers and dial up remote computers can also be used to surf the Internet for child porn. What's worse, pedophiles can remotely store and view their photos and videos from your machine without fear of getting caught.
And, of course, if the porn ends up being stored on your computer --you will be on the hook, accused of collecting it yourself. An Associated Press investigation found cases in which innocent people have been branded as pedophiles after their co-workers or loved ones stumbled upon child porn placed on a PC through a virus. It can cost victims hundreds of thousands of dollars to prove their innocence.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
