Beware of fake system messages
Dec 27
Thousands of users per day fall in this trap. Messages that appear to be legitimate and display information about your system, the user clicks on it and it gets infected by a malicious program, most of the time these messages are designed to look like part of your operating system and trick the user into thinking that by clicking on it the fake problem will be eradicated. The problem begins when the user clicks on it.
Not to long ago I cleaned a computer, deleted old files, junk and optimized space. The system was running better than ever. Today I get a call from the same user explaining the situation and it was something like this.
“I was reading an article and a message appeared saying that my system had instability issues and asked me if I wanted to fix them, I clicked NO and then the computer crashed and now it’s slow and I get pop-up ads all the time”
After a few clicks it was obvious that the computer had one or more viruses.
The culprit? This little message.
The user was a victim of fake online ads or fake warning messages; They appear to be legitimate, but no matter where you click, they still pose a threat to your system by installing malicious software.
How do they work?
As soon as you click on ‘YES’ or ‘NO’, a virus gets installed in your system and starts calling ads from a remote server and your computer gets slower everyday and you get ads as soon as you boot up. What happened here is a typical case of clicking before looking, fake ads look official, they are meant to grab your attention and to deceive you.
What to do…
The easiest way to prevent any program from being installed is to ignore them, if you must close them, always choose the red x located in the upper right corner of the window.
SAMPLE: Free Laptop #1
SYSTEM STATUS: Your Urgent Attention is Required.
“You have been chosen to receive a FREE laptop PC. This exclusive offer is only available online. Limited time only. FREE shipping and handling! To claim your FREE laptop PC click Next button. Hurry before time runs out! See Details.”
SAMPLE: Free Laptop #2
CONGRATULATIONS
“Your banner ID# 12098223 qualified for our FREE* hourly prize. Please click “Next” to accept your new Laptop ! *Participation required FREE LAPTOP”
SAMPLE: Infected computer (read message below the message has a typo)
Warning – if your computer has been running slower than usual, it may be infeceted with Adware or Spyware. To scan your computer, click yes below.
SAMPLE: Vertical Warning
Warning – your computer may have spyware or adware installed. To scan your computer for such infections click yes below. Yes No.