If you receive an email message advising you of a traffic ticket you don't remember getting, it's probably a hoax.

The New York State Police Computer Crime Unit is investigating spam e-mail that is circulating heavily nationwide, primarily through Yahoo e-mail accounts, that purports to be a traffic ticket from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles issued by the New York State Police.

The e-mail subject line might say “UNIFORM TRAFFIC TICKET.”

The hoax e-mail requests that the recipient open an attached zip file, supposedly a copy of the traffic ticket to fill out and send to a town court. But the zip file is believed to contain a virus which is being analyzed by the State Police Computer Forensics Lab.

State Police said this e-mail is not from them or the Department of Motor Vehicles.

If you receive this e-mail, state police say you should not open it or the attachment, but forward it to the New York State Police at pio@troopers.state.ny.us or to your local police.

The New York State Police and the National Crime Prevention Council remind computer users of cyber-crime prevention tips to protect themselves:

Use anti–virus software, firewalls, and other security measures to protect your personal information.

Only open e–mails from familiar sources and only navigate to trusted sites.

Change your passwords every 90 days and do not allow your computer’s programs to save them.

Back–up important files to external storage devices and be vigilant when downloading from the Internet.

Install parental control software and monitor your child’s Internet use to keep kids safe online.

Establish family guidelines for appropriate computer use.