Web-Users Fall For Fake Anti-Virus Scams

jhernik writes "Fearing their computers may be prone to viruses, many web-users download fake anti-virus software, only to find later that their bank details have been hacked. According to the latest research by GetSafeOnline.org, the UK's national internet security initiative, a rising nunber of organised criminal gangs are tricking security-conscious intenet-users into purchasing anti-virus software to access their bank details. Posing as legitimate IT helpdesks, these fraudsters target internet users concerned about protecting their computers. By offering free virus checks, they normally tell consumers that their machines are infected and offer fake security software protection – usually costing around £30 – which is actually malicious software in disguise." The fact that there is such a thriving market for fake AV scams really says something about the present state of the legitimate AV market.

Comments

Re:PEBKAC

[symbolset]

Not only is there already such a virus, the PC usually comes with it preinstalled.

"Web-Users Fall..."

[Call Me Black Cloud]

This is why I use gopher.

Pretty easy to detect.

[formfeed]

If you have a lot of files ending on ".dll", chances are pretty high that you have software on your system that might be harmful.

Re:PEBKAC

[imakemusic]

Maybe he searched for "Malware" and found what he was looking for...