Protect Your Self From Fake AV and Other Scams and Hoaxes

Intro: This is still part of my (now has become a series of posts) fake anti-virus posts. This time I'm recommending K9 (not the dog) for your protection.

One of the most effective utility I have found and have been using for years is the K9 Web Protection. Not only I use to block those pornographic sites (Good for parents). It can also help protect you from accidentally downloading those fake anti-virus and other hoaxes.

Safer computing: How to Avoid Fake Anti-Virus.

My last post was about How to Detect and Avoid Fake Anti-Virus. Of course detecting it and identifying is the first step in avoiding it. The authors of these malicious software however are very tricky. And one of their ploys is tricking you in installing their malware while making you believe you have cancelled the installation.

Now let's take a look at some of their tricks.

1. Warning Messages. - fake anti-virus would pop up messages that would warn you that your computer is at risk or under attack by viruses. Other variations will tell you that your system needs an update.

How to Detect and Avoid Fake Antivirus

According to CNET News, 15% of all malware these days are Fake Anti-Virus.According to the report, since 2003 malware authors has been using the web to prompt unsuspecting users to download the fake antivirus by sending pop-up message  with fake virus infection warnings designed to scare users to download and even buy their fake anti-virus software. Recent fake anti-virus sites have even been imitating the look and feel of the Windows user interface.

 

Question is, how do you detect if the anti-virus is a fake?