brokencross
06-Sep-08, 09:32
Just heard on BBC 5Live about a new virus/scam doing the rounds. Have posted it here (as well as on tech support) as this is most visited messageboard. I know most Orgers are computer savvy but just thought I would flag it up.
Apparently you get a pop up warning which looks very official and purports to come from Microsoft or similar security systems.
It is an "alert" that says it has detected a virus and offers a free downloadable programme to scan for this virus.
If you download and run the programme the ensuing results shows it has identified numerous viruses and then offers another exclusive programme to get rid and protect from future attacks. This new programme costs about £50 and they ask for bank, credit card details etc. Your computer is also used then to forward other attacks on other computers.
The radio said it is a newish trend; before computer hackers used to do it just for fun, cause disruption and to prove they could.
However the financial criminal element now sees the potential for monetary gain and have jumped on the bandwagon.
Apparently you get a pop up warning which looks very official and purports to come from Microsoft or similar security systems.
It is an "alert" that says it has detected a virus and offers a free downloadable programme to scan for this virus.
If you download and run the programme the ensuing results shows it has identified numerous viruses and then offers another exclusive programme to get rid and protect from future attacks. This new programme costs about £50 and they ask for bank, credit card details etc. Your computer is also used then to forward other attacks on other computers.
The radio said it is a newish trend; before computer hackers used to do it just for fun, cause disruption and to prove they could.
However the financial criminal element now sees the potential for monetary gain and have jumped on the bandwagon.