Malware – Why you need to be a human firewall
Is this Windows Security Alert real or fake? The answer depends on what you were doing when it appeared.
How about this alert? Is it real or is it fake? The same rules apply, it depends on what you were doing at the time. Human firewalls are skeptical and untrusting and any message that pops up should be regarded as suspicious. So you can just click on cancel or the “X” close button in the upper right hand corner of the window, right? Unfortunately, no. Clicking any button in a window such as this one will have the same result: malware will be installed on your computer. Instead you should bring up the Windows task manager by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Delete. Then, highlight the process and click the End Process button.
So let’s say your friend sends you a link to a really cool new video. You launch your web browser and type in the website address and receive the message below. Should you click on the download link? Absolutely not. Hackers want to redirect you from legitimate websites to websites that they control. You should instead visit the Flash player publisher website, such as www.adobe.com, directly and check for updates.
There are hundreds of bogus anti-malware applications floating around the Internet today. Before deciding to install one from a popup ad like the one below, navigate to the company website and see if its legitimate. Try finding reviews of the product from legitimate industry sources. Many of these bogus anti-malware apps install more malware on your computer, attempt to steal your identity, or capture your financial information.
User’s submitted over 130 bogus anti-malware titles for 2009. These are not legitimate anti-malware titles.
PCSecureSystem SafetyKeeper |
Spyware Protect 2009SpywareQuake SpywareSheriff Spyware Stormer Spy Tool Spyware Striker Pro Spyware Protect 2009 SpywareStrike SpyRid SpyWiper System Antivirus 2008 System Live Protect SystemDoctor System Security Total Secure 2009 TrustedAntivirus TheSpyBot UltimateCleaner VirusHeat VirusIsolator Virus Locker VirusProtectPro VirusRemover2008 VirusRemover2009 VirusMelt VirusRanger Virus Response Lab 2009 VirusTrigger Vista Antivirus 2008 Volcano Security Suite WinAntiVirus Pro 2006 WinDefender Windows Police Pro Windows Protection Suite WinFixer WinHound Winpc Antivirus Winpc Defender WinSpywareProtect WinWeb Security 2008 WorldAntiSpy XP AntiSpyware 2009 XP Antivirus XP-Shield Zinaps AntiSpyware 2008 |
This webpage was developed from information provided by US-CERT and MS-ISAC.