FBI: Beware of Fake Antivirus/Rogueware Scams
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) advised the people to be alert of fake antivirus software which has victimized a lot losing $150 million.
An intelligence notice was posted by the FBI on the Internet Crime Complaint Center’s website warning the people while browsing the web to be careful of Antivirus programs pretending to be credible but they are not. These programs are considered scareware or rogueware. According to the internet security bloggers/writers, scareware are software products, most usually commercial firewall and registry cleaner software, produce a lot of perky and alarming warning or threat notices serving some desired purpose. It is considered scam software which has a limited or no benefit at all. Rogueware is a form of computer malware that convinces users to pay for the fake removal of malware.
The notice states that these scareware programs are very aggressive and dangerous threats claiming that they clean computer viruses and attracting the users to buy them. Online criminals engage with the process called malvertising or malicious advertising where they even use botnets in posting ads in websites to convince and victimize more users.
As soon as you download the fake Antivirus software, a pop-up will appear. Closing this pop-up is not as easy as you think as hitting the X button or clicking the Close button. If the user agreed to press the Yes button to buy the Antivirus program, a form will prompt asking for payment information for the fake item. This fake software can install viruses, Trojans, and/or password intercepting keylogging programs in your computer.
Anti-Phishing Working Group stated that the total number of scareware programs from January to June last year has surpassed 2008 as a whole. Security analysts noticed that different AV programs are created so that it will be difficult for real antivirus software detect the threats. FBI recommended the users to always update their security software and operating systems. If ever you encounter a rogue Antivirus pop-up, quickly shutdown PC or close browser. Perform a complete secured Antivirus scan as soon as you turn on your computer again.
How Can Techie Now Help?
Scareware or rogueware can keep you and your computer in trouble. So like what FBI advises the computer users to do, you should be careful with those fake Antivirus programs that you see while browsing the web. Don’t let those scareware or rogueware fool you. For now, update your security software and operating system. If you need help, contact Techie Now. We offer PC support services like virus and spyware removal, performance optimization, installation and configuration and general repair.