Beware the Fake Anti-Virus
A couple of clients have recently had nasty experiences with fake anti-virus and anti-spyware alerts. This can happen to anyone and chances are, it’s happened to you at some stage too - while browsing the web, a warning pops onto your computer screen alerting you that your PC has been infected with a virus. Sound familiar?
Although the alert looks like what you’d expect from your anti-virus program, most people are skeptical and close the alert by clicking the X in the upper right hand corner of the alert. This is exactly what the creators of viruses want you to do because your browser is then hi-jacked, pop-up ads sprout up all over your screen and you’re unlikely to be able to get any programs to work even after restarting your PC.
A Multi-Billion Dollar Industry
The number of fake anti-virus software scams has increased phenomenally with one company reportedly raking in $160 billion in fake anti-virus program sales in 2009 alone! Once the fake alert has installed its virus, ads then pop up offering a fake clean-up program, available for instant download when valid credit card details have been received.
Six Steps To Avoid Getting Tricked
1. We highly recommend the use of Firefox as your browser as Internet Explorer is the main target of these scams.
2. Keep your computer updated with the latest anti-virus and anti-spyware software releases and periodic updates as soon as these become available.
3. Have a good firewall in place.
4. Never open an email attachment unless you are 100% positive it is from a trustworthy source! This may be common sense but viruses are often hidden in the most appealing, Must-Read-Now type of files.
5. Do NOT click on an anti-virus alert! If one appears on your screen, don’t click on it, not even on the X to close it. Rather, hit CTRL + ALT+ DEL to bring up the Task Manager and delete the rogue from the list of running programs. Then pick up the phone and call your IT support person or company!
6. Never download freeware or shareware unless you know it is from a reputable source. Unfortunately many of these come bundled with spyware, adware or fake anti-virus programs.