Frightened by Scareware? You Should Be.
We’ve recently seen increasing instances of “scareware” infections that are causing Windows computers to slow to a crawl, and causing IT support to spend hours fixing the problems.
Scareware is inadvertently installed via bogus pop-up windows that frighten computer users into clicking on a link. The pop-up windows give an alarming message that a virus or spyware has been detected on your computer, and offers a link to rectify the problem. Clicking on the link then installs malware on the computer, and removing the malware can often prove to be difficult.
Scareware can attack your computer at home and at the office. Antivirus software on your computer often cannot detect infections caused by scareware; most people don’t even know their computer is infected until it is too late.
Here are some things you can do to prevent scareware infections:
- Don’t click on pop-up messages while browsing the web.
- Don’t click on advertisements for antivirus or spyware removal, even on legitimate websites.
- Upgrade to Windows Vista; if your computer is relatively recent, upgrade to Microsoft’s latest operating system to take advantage of new security features.
- Switch to an Apple Macintosh computer. Macs don’t get viruses, period.
Just a reminder that the Office of Information Technology can give faculty and staff Symantec AntiVirus free of charge; stop by our office at 2710 W. Boise Ave. in Capitol Village to pick up a copy.
If you think your office computer may have malware or viruses installed, contact the OIT Help Desk at 426-4357, or email us at helpdesk@boisestate.edu. Or contact your local college or area network administrator as soon as possible.
Your comment that Mac’s don’t get viruses or malware is not entirely true! A person using a Mac is just a susceptible to social engineering techniques to get bad software installed. Scareware is a form of social engineering. The user has to do something they really did not want to do but are drive to do so out of fear. The result is a computer infected with malware.
To be fair: Some scareware and malware does leverage vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer to install software. Social Engineering will continue to improve as the software makers continue to improve their software.
You are half-correct; Macs certainly can get malware. But at this time, not in the form of viruses. Show me documented evidence of scareware installing viruses on Macs outside a laboratory environment and I’ll change my tune. I amended my post to remove “malware” from that sentence.
However, combined with behavioral caution recommended in not clicking on pop-up windows preying upon your fears or anxieties, using a Mac can enormously reduce the potential chances of being infected by malware.