FBI ALERT ON NEW VIRUS LURKING ON INTERNET

13 Dec 2009

FBI ALERT ON NEW VIRUS LURKING ON INTERNET

From Our Bureau

NEW DELHI: In a worldwide alert, the FBI has warned consumers about an ongoing threat involving pop-up security messages that appear while they are on the Internet.

The messages may contain a virus that could harm your computer, cause costly repairs or, even worse, lead to identity theft. The messages contain scareware, fake or rogue anti-virus software that looks authentic.

The FBI says the best course for you if you receive these anti-virus pop-ups is to immediately close the browser or shut down your computer system. You should run a full anti-virus scan from the software already available with you whenever the computer is turned back on. Also, keep it updated. the agency suggests.

It asks Internet users to be aware that the message may display what appears to be a real-time, anti-virus scan of your hard drive. The scareware will show a list of reputable software icons; however, you can’t click a link to go to the real site to review or see recommendations. Cyber criminals use botnets—collections of compromised computers—to push the software, and advertisements on websites deliver it. This is known as malicious advertising or “malvertising.”

Once the pop-up warning appears, it can’t be easily closed by clicking the “close” or “X” buttons. If you click the pop-up to purchase the software, a form to collect payment information for the bogus product launches.

In some instances, the scareware can install malicious code onto your computer, whether you click the warning or not. This is more likely to happen if your computer has an account that has rights to install software.

Downloading the software could result in viruses, malicious software called Trojans, and/or keyloggers—hardware that records passwords and sensitive data—being installed on your computer. Malicious software can cause costly damages for individual users and financial institutions. The FBI estimates scareware has cost victims more than $150 million.

Cyber criminals use easy-to-remember names and associate them with known applications. Beware of pop-up warnings that are a variation of recognized security software. You should research the exact name of the software being offered. Take precautions to ensure operating systems are updated and security software is current.

Though this is not for those in India, yet the FBI says if you have experienced the anti-virus pop-ups or a similar scam, notify the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) by filing a complaint atwww.ic3.gov. The complaint will others from becoming the victims.

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