Hateful viruses, scuzie malware and scumsucky trojans

I HATE THIS SCUMMY MALWARE

It seems to be a week of it for me. My desk top computer just received a wonderful message from a computer security programme that i was being attacked by trojan programmes and they were attacking my programmes and eating up my hard drive.  In fact it was kindly scanning my hard disk for all these nasty viruses, trojans and malware.

That was kind of it.

It also said that all i had to do to ensure it is all cleaned up and dumped nicely off of my computer and everything back to normal, was to click on the button to 'Get full time protection now'.

This wonderful security programme is called 'Security Central'.  The pop-up window is very professional, and kind of reminds me of AVG anti-virus (which is installed).

As a natural reaction I was about to click on buttons I should not be clicking on.  But wait! I never installed this software, I found it very strange that I suddenly had all these viruses when I used AVG, and I really did not like the feeling I was getting when I saw the button for the full activation.

I did not click - if it happens to you.  DO NOT CLICK!

Now, the rub.  'Security Central' is one of the scummiest, most hateful and spiteful, malware programmes.

Security Central pretends to be an anti-spyware program that uses deceptive advertising and aggressive techniques to protect itself from removal. This program is installed without your consent through the use of malware that when executed, silently downloads and installs Security Central in the background before it launches. Once launched it will scan the computer and display an increasing number of false detected infections. Security Central will then not allow you to remove these 'infections' without first purchasing Security Central. The infections are not really there, so no need to panic.  Security Central is trying to scare you into purchasing it.

To protect itself, Security Central will not allow you to run executable programs any anti-malware programs until the process is terminated.  This will obviously make you think that the viruses are for real.

I have just googled Security Central and I have found a few different websites that show you how to get rid of this hateful software.  I will have a go and let you know how I get on.

gone phishing!

Hateful scammers

The last couple of days has been a rude awakening for many twitterers (or twats, depending on what side of the fence you are in on relation to the use of Twitter) in Northern Ireland.  The shock was how easily it was for a scam to suck  people in before they realised it was happening and how often it could be done before people locked their accounts down by changing their passwords.


Firstly, we received, from our friends a wonderful direct message like this,

Hey, this you?? (and a link)

The obvious human reaction, especially with lots of pictures up on the web, is to click the link because it is a direct message from someone you at least vaguely know. 


Ahhhh, big mistake!


Clicking the link will confirm, to a nasty little git, your username and your password. All they need to start being you on Twitter. They will use your account to spread the message again ending up with large lists.  Sometimes its just an idiot messing about, other times they can spread viruses onto your computer, and even worse could allow them to find out passwords to other things like bank accounts.


The mesage is simple: DO NOT CLICK ON UNSOLICITED LINKS. 


If the message is from someone you know, check with them first to confirm they sent it.


Next i started recieving really nice messages like this,

hi, i'm 24/female/horny... i have to get off here but message me on my windows live messenger name (and a hotmail account)

Now that is wonderful except that one of the people who messaged me was Barry McIlduff MLA. Now, I, for one, am fairly sure he is neither 24, female and horny. But then who am I to judge??


It did not stop there either, more messages coming through,

hhey, i've been having better sex and longer with this here (and a link)

Sorry, but I am quite happy, thank you very much.  Besides I am married with two kids, I am too knackered.


All the messages are phishing messages.


Phishing is a name originally given to e-mail fraud methods where a scammer sent out legitimate-looking emails in an attempt to gather personal and financial information from recipients. Typically, the messages appeared to come from well known and trustworthy Web sites, or indeed from friends.


A phishing expedition, like the fishing expedition it's named for, is a speculative venture, where the phisher puts the lure hoping to fool at least a few of the prey that encounter the bait.


Phishers can  be very sophisticated or just use a very simple message like a worm to lure you into giving them personal details.


The one thing people can do to reduce risk is to be very suspicious of messages that are not clear or offer to give you a bigger weenie (particularly suspicious for females who get these messages), or better sex.


If you are suspicious that you have fallen for a scam, IMMEDIATELY change your password.


You have been warned!


Be safe in the twitterverse!