'Scareware' ads proliferate across Internet

[jmig]

This is an interesting article. Seems that they have infected many Facebook and Twitter accounts. One of our Staff members got a scareware message from a friends Facebook account.


http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/computersecurity/2010-06-07-scareware07_ST_N.htm

 

[Bjoern]

I can't say I'm impressed.

Scareware is just that "popular" beacuse there's enough people out there who actually take it seriously.
C'mon people, think twice before you click banners on the internet!

 

[Astoroth]

You don't always have to "click a banner" to get this crap, I've had to clean several variations of fake A/V off my computer at times, and I never click banner ads, or links from people that I'm not expecting, or any of that stuff. You ever hear of a "drive-by download"? It's where you can get infected by spyware / malware just by viewing the page that is infected with it. Merely opening the window starts the download, and often that window is opened as a pop-up ad.....

I'd like to hang all the makers of virus', malware, etc. by their unmentionables.....

 

[Willy]

I got hit by what I think was a drive-by down a couple of months ago. Ended up having to wipe my HD to get rid of it. What I'd like to do to the perpetrator aint civilized.

 

[Bjoern]

You ever hear of a "drive-by download"? It's where you can get infected by spyware / malware just by viewing the page that is infected with it. Merely opening the window starts the download, and often that window is opened as a pop-up ad.....

Never had that and I dare to say that I come around on the internet quite a bit.

Generally, I haven't had any malware in ages either and the only means I use for protection from annoyances are Antivir, my router's firewall and a pop-up blocker for Firefox. All that coupled with an occasional check-up and immunization with Spybot S&D. *Shrugs*

 

[Dangerousdave26]

Never had that and I dare to say that I come around on the internet quite a bit.

Generally, I haven't had any malware in ages either and the only means I use for protection from annoyances are Antivir, my router's firewall and a pop-up blocker for Firefox. All that coupled with an occasional check-up and immunization with Spybot S&D. *Shrugs*

Often times it is embedded in an Add that runs on a website. Just by going to the site you will get a pop up (not a normal pop up so your blocker will not stop it) that tells you that you are infected and then prompt you to down load and install their anti virus software. You will be presented with an option to continue or cancel but either option will start the install process.

The real way to stop this intrusion is to disconnect yourself from the internet then close out firefox or what ever browser you are using they all are vulnerable. Using the task manager is probably the fastest cleanest way to shut down the browser.

Once the browser is closed you should be ok but if you want to feel safe run all of your anti malware products that you have installed to check.

The last website I saw this from that I did not expect it from was www.palmbeachpost.com. I go there everyday to read the news and about 6 months ago I got one of these attacks.

 

[Allen]

Often times it is embedded in an Add that runs on a website. Just by going to the site you will get a pop up (not a normal pop up so your blocker will not stop it) that tells you that you are infected and then prompt you to down load and install their anti virus software. [\QUOTE]

I've seen there too. Ctrl Alt Del is good to get a rid of them.