Computers Byte! Online

How to Recognize a Fake Virus Alert Message

A fake-alert virus is one that generates warning screens that look like they were created by the computer’s own defenses. Often, these fake-alerts are scams intended to frighten users into clicking links on the pop-ups to fix the problem. These links often lead to websites that urge users to purchase an expensive product in order to fix the problem. Don’t be fooled: buying this product is likely to make the problem worse. Alternate methods are needed to remove the threat

Note these things:

• It “detects” multiple infections. It’s unusual for a real alert to find more than one at a time.

• The “online scanner” pops up in a second or so. It takes time to scan your computer — ten minutes or more. Anything that finds multiple viruses on your computer in only a couple of seconds is lying to you.

• If you’re using a web-based scanner, you must install software before it scans. If you haven’t done this, it won’t detect any viruses. So if you haven’t deliberately downloaded the software first, no scan will work.

• A legitimate web-based scanner like Avast only installs from a single site named for the scanner. It does not show up if you don’t deliberately go to it. The fake alert here will display when you’re not going to a scanner website.

Other names for fake alerts are:

• Antivirus Live
• Windows Police Pro
• Windows Antivirus Pro
• Windows Security Center (looks just like the REAL one, but has some miss-spellings)
• Virus Remover 2008

Just to name a few. I will keep adding to this list.