Keep your computer updated with the latest anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and be sure to use a good firewall.ģ. Use Firefox as your browser rather than Internet Explorer.Ģ.
However, at the time of this writing, Mac OSX does not have these problems.) Fake Anti Virus Prevention Tipsġ. (Mac users: if you run Windows using Boot Camp, Parallels or VMWare, these tips apply to you.
In other cases, scam software actually implants malicious code into your computer, especially if you request a "free virus scan." Sometimes, the Trojan creates "false positive" readings, making you think viruses and spyware have infected your computer, even though nothing has.
If you run programs that provide file-sharing information - including some instant messenger (IM) applications - your computer might be remotely accessed by scammers, hackers and identity thieves.
Read more about Trojans on our page on computer Viruses. Fake Virus Scam Tacticsįake virus alerts are usually generated by a Trojan - a program that takes control of your computer - after you open an email attachment, click on a pop-up advertisement or visit a particular website. Meanwhile, ID thieves will use the fake software to gather your personal and financial information - for their own ID theft scams or for sale to others.
In fact, fake "virus alerts" often mimic ones displayed by brand-name products.įor example: "Your Computer Has Been Infected!" That's what some pop-ups and phony alerts will say, hoping you'll download fake anti-virus software. ("Rogue" means software of unknown or questionable origin, or doubtful value.) In most cases, you'll confront scammers who want to scare you into buying "rogue" security software by making you think your computer is infected. Welcome to the world of fake anti-virus, anti-spyware programs.ĭespite what happened to our friend, it's not that common to encounter hackers who simply want to harm your computer with fake anti-virus programs. More Scam Reports: Coronavirus Cure Claims are Just Scams Basically, his computer was disabled, and he spent hours on the phone with tech support to correct the problems. Pop-up ads began sprouting everywhere, his screen froze, and none of his programs were accessible - even after rebooting. Using his mouse, he closed the alert by pressing the "x" in the window's upper right-hand corner. He thought it was "issued" by his security software maker. Not long ago, a colleague was conducting Internet research when - pop! - a yellow triangle appeared on his screen, warning that his computer had been infected by dangerous spyware. Protect Yourself from Fake Anti-Virus Software And we'll explain why you need to be cautious about closing or deleting these alerts, even when you know they're fake.
In this issue, we tell you how to distinguish between useless - or even malicious - security software and the real deal. In fact, their "rogue software" often doesn't work, or actually infects your computer with the dangerous programs it is supposed to protect against! Today, some cyber-criminals are selling - or giving away - software that supposedly fights viruses, spyware and malware. Scammers, identity thieves and hackers have grown more sophisticated. Today's issue is about a scam that's growing very fast and that you really need to be aware of: how fake anti-virus and anti-spyware software is being used by scammers and identity thieves in many cunning ways.
10 Tips to help you avoid fake anti-virus software scams: Internet ScamBusters #232