Computer Virus/Scam

[brokencross]

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.

[teenybash]

Thanks for the warning.

[armanisgirl]

Similar thing I read in local paper, only this person had bought something off ebay, but later got an email saying the courier hadn't been able to deliver the package, and could she click on the link to track her delivery. (Think it was claiming to be from UPS). She did, and same kind of virus attacked her computer, wiping out 3 years of work.

I also had the 'update your details' supposedly from HSBC. I'm not with them and never have been so knew it was fake.

Be very careful!

[Kevin Milkins]

I never used to get much trash but all of a sudden I am getting loads and all from the same place but under a different gueiss.
1 Box Office Hits
2 Movie Downloads
3 Earth 4.3
4 PDF Version 9
5 Online TV
All the above have several links to log onto and they all have the same address at the bottom.

Plaza Neptuno, local #7
Via ricardo J Alfaro, Tumba Muerto
Panama Ciudad
Republica de Panama
I always mark them as Spam. Does anyone else get any of these?

[MadPict]

A friend phoned me the other day about something similar - he had this virus alert popup issue too. His problem related to desktop icons for BDSM Galleries and Unsensored porn which he could not delete - the alert was worded -

ALERT:Critical Systems Warning!
Your system is probably infected with version of Spyware.IEMonster.b blah blah blah

Apparently the popup tries to get you to download a removal tool from XPantivirus.

Not sure if this is the one discussed on 5Live?......

[Bad Manners]

Many thanks for the warning we shall keep a lookout for this