As the much anticipated new Stephenie Meyer novella “The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner” hits, Twilight fans need to be aware of the harmful malware and viruses found on suspicious e-book download sites and “poisoned PDFs.” The growth of e-book usage has spawned increased cyber criminal activities from computers to mobile devices and e-readers.

PC Tools predicts that once the novella is available, cybercriminals will distribute it through Twilight fan sites and searches as a “poisoned PDF.” They will exploit the online searches to find ways to infect computers with malware and new threats. Eager fans searching for early sneak peeks will also be targeted.

Cybercriminals are leveraging the viral nature of PDFs by inserting malware into a PDF’s Java Script. While Java Scripting makes PDF documents more engaging, it provides cybercriminals with the access necessary to hack into your computer. Recent research shows that “poison PDF” attacks skyrocketed in 2009 to represent 49 percent of web-based attacks.

Security software companies, like PC Tools, combat the malware and threats consumers face each day. Statistics show that there are 30,000 – 50,000 new threats each day. Consumers need to run the latest security software to protect their computers and mobile devices.

Here are other helpful tips to enhance your e-book reading experience:

• DON’T BE FOOLED BY FAKES - If a virus alert or book download site pops up on your computer screen, don’t click on it. Close the alert and run your antivirus software. In April Google reported on its analysis of 240 million web pages which uncovered over 11,000 domains involved in Fake AV distribution - about 15% of the malware domains detected on the web during a 13-month period.

• KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO - If you download a book, application or other types of files, save it on your computer and scan it before opening. Never click on the “run” program option. PC Tools Internet Security™ or Spyware Doctor™ with AntiVirus can scan your computer to make sure any file you download is safe.
• PROTECT YOURSELF FROM POISON - While PC Tools recommends only opening e-book PDFs from people you trust, if you have to open a PDF file with your reader, make sure you disable the Java Script on your PDF reader since cybercriminals poison PDFs by inserting the malware into a PDF’s Java Script.
• STAY IN SAFE PLACES - Be careful of book download domains that are not .net or .com. International domains like those for Russia (.ru) are frequently used by cybercriminals wanting to avoid prosecution in the USA and UK. Also, stay away from torrents and other freeware sharing sites.
  PC Tools™ Browser Guard on products like PC Tools Internet Security or Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus can tell you which places are not safe.
• X MARKS THE MALWARE - Be careful with links with an .exe suffix since .exe means an executable program that could be malware.

Supporting Resources:

• Visit http://www.pctools.com to see the entire PC Tools Security Portfolio
• Follow @PCTools on Twitter
• Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PCTOOL5

About PC Tools

PC Tools is a global software leader with a cache of security and utility products, including the multi award-winning Spyware Doctor®. PC Tools is an industry leader in real-time anti-spyware and has a number of key patents pending.

The PC Tools Malware Research Center monitors trends and emerging spyware issues and provides security solutions for the consumer and enterprise marketplace. The company is headquartered in Sydney, with offices in San Francisco, London, Shannon (Ireland) and Kiev. PC Tools has a global network of distributors, resellers, and retailers.