Privacy, Security & Virus Information

Combating Fake Alerts

You want to keep your computer in the best condition possible, and ensure that all your details are protected, right? So: when you click on that pop-up or advert offering a free trial of some anti-virus software, you’re taking the best precautions, surely?

Wrong! While some anti-virus adverts are legitimate, there are many more promoting fake products that will not protect your computer, and are actually harmful and highly dangerous – causing the kind of damage you were hoping to prevent in the first place. So: what are fake alerts? And, more importantly, how can you avoid them?

‘Fake virus’ alerts appear as a very legitimate-looking pop-up, as if your anti-virus software has picked up a potential threat, and they generally appear when you’re surfing the web. Fake viruses usually contain a message such as “your computer is infected with malware”, “your computer has a virus”, or something else along those lines. You will normally be asked if you want to clear or quarantine the virus which, if accepted, allows the fake virus to install itself onto your computer.

As soon as the virus is installed, you’ll find your computer will be shut down and restarted. When you log back on, you’ll be told that you have several serious infections, but will be offered the opportunity to purchase, or download for free, some form of anti-virus protection software. By agreeing to this, you give the fake anti-virus company your credit card details, making you vulnerable to identity fraud.

If such a warning notice appears on your PC, especially while you’re browsing the Internet, the best thing to do is ignore it. Do not interact with the pop-up in any way. In fact, the best course of action is to switch off your machine. When you restart, the chances are that the PC was not infected in the first place, and everything will be back to normal. However, if your anti-virus software pops up a message when you’re not on the Internet, then it’s probably wise to call an engineer or an Internet security expert for a thorough check-up.

There are other precautions you can take, too, because pointing your mouse away from the pop-up isn’t enough. The most important thing you can do for your computer safety is to ensure you have legitimate and trustworthy anti-virus software, such as McAfee Internet Security, installed and regularly updating with information on the latest threats. Such anti-virus packages should come with a firewall, which you should leave turned on at all times to prevent the health of your PC or wallet from being compromised.

 

Article by Connor Sephton, 26th January 2012. Content correct at the date of publication.