(AP) -- Online thieves and spammers are using the killing of Osama bin Laden to send out malicious software and spam to unwitting Internet users.

In what's become common practice among the Internet's less savory citizens, these scammers are sending out emails and spreading Facebook posts that claim to be videos or photos of the dead bin Laden.

They are not. But by clicking the links, users can download computer viruses that steal personal information or otherwise infect their computers.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation asks that computer users be extra cautious of the malicious emails.

Computer security firm Symantec (www.symantec.com) says one spam email contains a link to bogus photos and videos purporting to be from CNN Mexico.

Instead, it directs people to a scam site designed to look like the real thing but created to steal passwords. Facebook users also fell victim to fake bin Laden links.

Click here to see the FBI's recommended list of ways to prevent these types of emails from showing up in your inbox .

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