Re: Spyware. Am I in over my head?

In article <alecusenet-B07CA0.11423901032008@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Alec McKenzie <alecusenet@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

See:

<http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic111715.html>

In article <5Jfyj.7551$v47.5345@trnddc08>,
Wes Groleau <groleau+news@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Salmon Egg wrote:
It gave dire warnings about spyware. Before I could do anything it
"scanned" and gave me a list of infecting files. It offered to clear

Unless you have gone to great lengths to change Mac settings that
default to reasonably "safe" the apparent scan was completely fake.
In fact, even if you did, it was fake as the actual crap they are
pushing runs on Windows.

them up for me with a free trial and also an offer to sell me suitable
software. Not having any Windows software, I declined. It appeared to

Declined how? There are numerous low-lifes out there serving opups
designed to look like they have clickable buttons, when in reality the
entire image is a clickable hyperlink.

I declined to buy. I also stopped the fake scan by quitting Safari. I
never did click to download the .exe file even though I am not running
any Windows in my Mac Pro. There is no point in tempting fate. The whole
thing looked mighty bizarre.

Is XP Antivirus from a legitimate source?

Obviously not. They get there crap into PCs by the deception
I described. Deception is not legitimate. Furthermore, there
are numerous things offering to protect you from spyware that
actually ARE spyware. Fortunately for you, most of them run
only on Windows.

I thank both responders for their information. I do believe that I am in
over my head because I have no idea as to what is happening. Is it
likely that this scare rode in from a contaminated site? Would it make
sense to get a legitimate Mac anti-spy application? If so, what is a
suitable application?
I such activity legal? I realize much of this may be coming from
off-shore. But what is our law enforcement doing to track down any
miscreants within their jurisdictions?

Bill
.