Re: Beware the AntiVirus 2009 scam!!!

On Sun, 01 Feb 2009 18:11:19 GMT, Jim10293@xxxxxxxxx wrote:

On Sun, 01 Feb 2009 09:35:55 -0800, El Castor <No_One@xxxxxxxx> wrote:

On Sun, 01 Feb 2009 02:19:38 GMT, Jim10293@xxxxxxxxx wrote:

Several people in a Chinese email listserve got stung with the
AntiVirus 2009 scam. I am unclear how it got to them but one fellow
had responded to 'help' another solve a computer problem and gave him
a link that turned out to the AntiVirus 2009 scam. Victim paid 49.95
and ran the program, thought he had eliminated tons of viruses and now
is really in trouble. My guess is they also have his credit card
information to misuse as well.

http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20090106/NEWS/901051025/0/LIVING03

http://redmondmag.com/features/article.asp?editorialsid=2617

This is a common type of scam, and has been around for quite awhile.
Last year it was called Antivirus 2008. We all need to be wary of free
software -- particularly things that claim to speed up the computer,
speed up downloads, anti-virus cures, etc. Avoiding this crap is
relatively easy -- just use a good anti-virus/anti-malware product to
begin with, a popup blocker, and never click on links in unknown
e-mail -- or known e-mail for that matter. When in doubt, go to Google
and do a search on the name of the suspicious commodity followed by
the word scam or malware.

Here's a good place to find legitimate freeware -- including
anti-virus software:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/

Here is a legit piece of free anti-virus software that I use. It
doesn't take the place of the bought stuff, or a good firewall -- it's
just an enhancement, and it also comes in a paid version, but I think
that's not necessary.
http://www.threatfire.com

I have received email that is perfect in appearance allegedly from
Turbotax and other vendors saying I need to install updates or other
important such notices.

Comcast is pretty good at filtering out the crap, but I get the same
kind of thing from "eBay" all the time. I guess I'm supposed to click
on a link and give some crook my eBay ID and password.

Makes me mad every time I get a legit email from a well known
financial institution -- with a link to click on and login with.

The kind of thing you expect and regularly
receive from real vendors. I go to the headers now and check the
source and now, never click any link I receive without first going to
the real site by typing the real address myself and researching what I
need to do. Hackers are getting more persistent and tricky every day.

I just use Norton and a couple of most popular free programs to check
for any problems.

Thanks for the links. I will check them. But, have to be careful
because can't run some antivirus programs with others easily.

Threatfire isn't the usual anti-virus program -- actually I think it's
billed as anti-malware, although these days there isn't much
difference. It's intended to be run with anti-virus programs. It does
do a periodic scan, but mainly it monitors behavior, looking for
typical things that malware does, like phone home. Here's a review.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2301045,00.asp
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Beware the AntiVirus 2009 scam!!!
    ... a link that turned out to the AntiVirus 2009 scam. ... speed up downloads, anti-virus cures, etc. Avoiding this crap is ... I just use Norton and a couple of most popular free programs to check ...
    (soc.retirement)
  • Re: Beware the AntiVirus 2009 scam!!!
    ... had responded to 'help' another solve a computer problem and gave him ... a link that turned out to the AntiVirus 2009 scam. ... Here is a legit piece of free anti-virus software that I use. ...
    (soc.retirement)
  • Re: Beware the AntiVirus 2009 scam!!!
    ... had responded to 'help' another solve a computer problem and gave him ... a link that turned out to the AntiVirus 2009 scam. ... speed up downloads, anti-virus cures, etc. Avoiding this crap is ...
    (soc.retirement)
  • Re: Beware the AntiVirus 2009 scam!!!
    ... had responded to 'help' another solve a computer problem and gave him ... a link that turned out to the AntiVirus 2009 scam. ... Here is a legit piece of free anti-virus software that I use. ...
    (soc.retirement)
  • Re: Beware the AntiVirus 2009 scam!!!
    ... had responded to 'help' another solve a computer problem and gave him ... a link that turned out to the AntiVirus 2009 scam. ... Here is a legit piece of free anti-virus software that I use. ...
    (soc.retirement)