Fake Security Software

[MaryS]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 00096.html

Fake security software in millions of computers: Symantec

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Tens of millions of U.S. computers are loaded with scam security software that their owners may have paid for but which only makes the machines more vulnerable, according to a new Symantec report on cybercrime.

Cyberthieves are increasingly planting fake security alerts that pop up when computer users access a legitimate website. The "alert" warns them of a virus and offers security software, sometimes for free and sometimes for a fee.

"Lots of times, in fact they're a conduit for attackers to take over your machine," said Vincent Weafer, Symantec's vice president for security response.

"They'll take your credit card information, any personal information you've entered there and they've got your machine," he said, referring to some rogue software's ability to rope a users' machine into a botnet, a network of machines taken over to send spam or worse.
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Symantec found 250 varieties of scam security software with legitimate sounding names like Antivirus 2010 and SpywareGuard 2008, and about 43 million attempted downloads in one year but did not know how many of the attempted downloads succeeded, said Weafer.

"In terms of the number of people who potentially have this in their machines, it's tens of millions," Weafer said.

It was also impossible to tell how much cyberthieves made off with but "affiliates" acting as middlemen to convince people to download the software were believed to earn between 1 cent per download and 55 cents.

TrafficConverter.biz, which has been shut down, had boasted that its top affiliates earned as much as $332,000 a month for selling scam security software, according to Weafer.

"What surprised us was how much these guys had tied into the whole affiliated model," Weafer said. "It was more refined than we anticipated."

(Reporting by Diane Bartz; editing by Gunna Dickson)

[Spiketoo]

If PT Barnum were alive, he'd be based in Russia with satellite offices in China and Romania. Few large e-gold accounts. And he'd never have to leave his puter....

Most of these ploys are not very 'smart' - just smarter than the person on the other end of the mouse.

[JDinSD77]

I'll ask the question I've been asking my friends, so maybe one of you puter experts can explain this to me. Just bought my new HP puter, with my ISP being ATT U-Verse. O.K., so loaded on the puter with Windows software comes blaring notice that I can get 3 months free NORTON security software. NOT wanting this I do NOT check the box that enables the Norton software, in fact, I delete(or thought I deleted) the whole Norton file into the Recycle bin and then the permanent delete click.

So, doesn't matter that I never, ever, clicked to choose the "free" option and did the manuever above, this company's software CONSTANTLY pops up that they are running security this and that and continously(every day) reminds me that the're "keeping" my files safe. Maybe it's nothing to most, but it just feels like a violation of my personal files(since their "checks" show they know every website I've been on). Seems like this trick of theirs should be against the law in some way or another. Probably make one heck of a class-action lawsuit, but all I really want is this unwanted Security Firm off and out of my personal computer. Anything I can do? Thanks in advance.

[Srotagtbs]

I use DriveSentry and I know they asked if they could track the websites I visited to help identify malicious websites better. I chose no when I first started it up so I don't believe it is "checking" my visited websites.

If you want to rid of the Norton Software, I would go to "My Computer" and search your computer for it by typing in something simple like "Norton". Then delete all files associated with Norton. Once deleted you may need to restart your machine for the changes to take effect.

[Dgstan]

You should be able to go to Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs and find Norton and uninstall it. Then download a program called Avast. It is a free antivirus program that is highly rated and has worked great on all my systems.

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

On a related note, I recently purchased a new Dell desktop system. I was messing around with the boot sector and screwed it up, meaning the system wouldn't boot. Dell's support people said the only way to fix it was to reinstall the OS. I wasn't crazy about having to reload everything on a brand new computer, but I'm so glad I did. By redoing everything, I got rid of all the bloatware the manufacturers install trying to get you to purchase stuff. No free trial of AOL, no 60 day version of MS Office, no BS antivirus, etc. The only things on there are the programs I want. My system flies now. If you're ambitious, you might want to give that a try. The computer comes with all the install discs you will need.

[Spiketoo]

JD, you'll never be able to uninstall Norton if it loads at startup. Go get a free app called autoruns from MS (was a nice lil company till MS bought them). It will show you what automatically loads at startup - I'm guessing Norton does load summin so you will never be able to truly uninstall it from Control Panel if something is running. Uncheck anything that looks like Norton under the Logon tab. The you need to ensure no Norton Services are being loaded at startup also.

Aw fook it - PM me and I'll open the helpdesk for you. It's dark today and I have nuttin for Laundry Chat.

[JDinSD77]

Thanks for all your help. I've made the attempts to uninstall and delete those Norton files(again) and this time it seemed to take, but like I told Spike it might be temporary. Doug, I did add that Avast software and I appreciate the heads up. Now I have to learn what the best ways and times to program the software to run. You know it's funny. It doesn't matter how bright I generally think I am, when it comes to tech issues, I feel seriously learning disabled. Well, at least I'm not as bad as my 80 year old scientist father who still has never used the internet because according to him "it's just too much." Oh, and my parents DVD player really did b l i n k 12:00 for months even after I showed them how to change the time. Man I hate heridatary.

[MaryS]

You could always get an Apple

[Spiketoo]

JD, prolly the best for Avast is to let it run at startup. It'll slow down ur startup, but at least you'll be good to go right there and then if nothing is found. Most AV apps are resident - they sit there till an executable tries to run then they scan it. Most of them are 'trainable' to the effect that you can tell them 'hey, you scanned that one already and its OK - don't do it again unless it changes' (upgrade, etc.). Though as always (and as you can attest to), YMMV.

Hey and dont worry about being tech challenged - everybody has their niche. I'm from Detroit and can barely change the air in my tires.....

[Joel]

A coupla months ago I downloaded some Pureplay poker software. Immediately, I got a fake looking flashing message on my computer that said my computer was infected and click here to buy $79 worth of anti-virus software. Computer would barely function, etc. I had to backdate the computer for the day before I installed the software, and my computer has run fine since.

Not only did the Pureplay bastards infect my computer, I also won a freeroll tournament for $10. I filled out the form and mailed them all the info 8 weeks ago, and am still waiting for my sawbuck..