Federal agents who were involved in a major computer sting last week are warning Iowans to be very careful when they’re on-line. Omaha FBI Special Agent Weysan Dun says thieves are constantly working to find new ways to trick and swindle unsuspecting computer users.

Agent Dun says, “Make sure you have up-to-date virus protection, up-to-date fire walls and all of the latest technology has to offer.” The FBI’s Omaha Cyber Theft Task Force led the investigation which seized 70-million dollars last week and arrested dozens of suspects in the U.S. and three other countries. Dun says Iowans need to watch what they’re doing when they’re on-line and make sure every click is to a legitimate source.

“Don’t open up e-mails from unsolicited senders,” Dun says. “Definitely, don’t click on links. If there is in fact malware, that is often the action that allows that malware infect your computer.” Dun says even if you know and do business with a particular store, service or person, don’t just offer up personal information when you’re being asked for it.

He says, “If you receive a solicitation from somebody that you do business with and they ask you for such things as account information or passwords, be very, very wary.” In addition to having the latest virus protection programs, Dun says making sure you have up-to-date malware protection is also a necessity.

“In some incidences, malware can be inserted into a system through directing a victim to what appears to be a real site but it’s a spoof site,” Dun says. He says the computer ring that was broken up last week was using a computer virus to access bank account numbers and passwords. The members then used that stolen information to siphon large amounts of money from victims’ bank accounts.