Scareware
There's a new type of attack going on lately in the world of computers. It's becoming more and more common, they are calling it rogue spyware or scareware.
I got hit with it recently, and it was very unsettling. These programs are put together by criminal gangs and they are making a lot of money with them. You will know it right away if you get infected, the programs do everything they can to cause panic, then tell you it will all go away if you send them your credit card info to purchase a bogus fix.
They pose as antivirus programs, Windows security, or MacIntosh security and tell you that your computer is infected with a bunch of malicious programs that will steal your personal info, etc. The giveaway is when they tell you it's necessary to register or purchase a program to fix everything.
Don't fall for it, the whole thing is a fraud. There is no malicious program, the only malware is the program that's trying to get you to contact their server and give them your credit card number. If you have any suspicion about a shady program that you can't close, kill your browser if you can. I use multiple tabs on Firefox when I browse the internet, so anything that looks wrong...I can just click on the x on the tab and get free.
If you can't shake the program, don't panic. Use another computer and google scareware. There is info that will help you clear the infection. Or you can take your computer to a pro, and let them get rid of it for you. This stuff is spreading all over the net, I saw another version of it last night on a website. There have been infections picked up from Facebook, Google, all sorts of legitimate websites.
I think we are especially vulnerable as ME/CFS people because we are prone to panic attacks. These programs are designed to cause panic, it's how they are making so much money.
I got hit with it recently, and it was very unsettling. These programs are put together by criminal gangs and they are making a lot of money with them. You will know it right away if you get infected, the programs do everything they can to cause panic, then tell you it will all go away if you send them your credit card info to purchase a bogus fix.
They pose as antivirus programs, Windows security, or MacIntosh security and tell you that your computer is infected with a bunch of malicious programs that will steal your personal info, etc. The giveaway is when they tell you it's necessary to register or purchase a program to fix everything.
Don't fall for it, the whole thing is a fraud. There is no malicious program, the only malware is the program that's trying to get you to contact their server and give them your credit card number. If you have any suspicion about a shady program that you can't close, kill your browser if you can. I use multiple tabs on Firefox when I browse the internet, so anything that looks wrong...I can just click on the x on the tab and get free.
If you can't shake the program, don't panic. Use another computer and google scareware. There is info that will help you clear the infection. Or you can take your computer to a pro, and let them get rid of it for you. This stuff is spreading all over the net, I saw another version of it last night on a website. There have been infections picked up from Facebook, Google, all sorts of legitimate websites.
I think we are especially vulnerable as ME/CFS people because we are prone to panic attacks. These programs are designed to cause panic, it's how they are making so much money.
Replies
well! I am very glad that you posted this, Richie....and I will keep a very close look out for anything like this. I am not sure whether I have ever had a virus, or not...well, yes, I did a while ago I think where everything went haywire and one of my tenants sorted it out - but I certainly dont want anything like that again!! thanks loads Richie...hugxxxKAT
Thank you for the info. Have a good day. Hugs, Linda
The one I had on my computer was extremely difficult to get rid of. Once the thing downloads, it protects itself by disabling your security software and tools that might be used to get it out. If you see something telling you that you need to act immediately to protect yourself from some threat, don\'t click on any of its buttons...close your browser.
There are many variations of scareware, the criminal gangs sell a template that the user can embellish and then go make a lot of cash for himself.
If the browser won\'t close, try control+shift+escape on Windows. That will open task manager where you can end the exe process that\'s running your browser...firefox.exe for example. If that doesn\'t work, it\'s going to be more complicated. Some of these things disable all the Windows tools, and you have to get the computer into safe mode.
Don\'t worry, it\'s fixable. There is no real threat to your computer or your files, it\'s all a bluff.