Virus writers have taken another page from social engineering and found a new way to separate your hard earned cash from you. Realizing that everyone in the Windows world runs an anti-virus program (or should), now the viruses are masquerading as the programs that are supposed to protect us.
These false anti-virus programs then pop up messages indicating that your subscription has expired and request you “renew” your subscription. Not immediately, but eventually a slew of charges will show up on your card.
So how do these viruses get into your computer?
- The most common avenue is through email. (Read about The Dangers of E-mail)
- Music sharing or P2P programs;”Free” music. What you don’t pay for in music, you’ll pay for in virus removal.
- Not having a hardware router (firewall) between the internet and you. A router is like a one way valve: Only places that you go to can reach back to you. Without a router, anyone can “touch” your computer.
Example 2 – False Anti-virus Security Guard - Assuming your anti-virus program provides 100% protection. With 1,200 new viruses every month, there is no way any company can recognize all new viruses immediately.
- Going to a *bad* site. These sites instantly infect your computer as soon as you go to them! How do you identify a bad site? Unfortunately there is no simple rule.
With so many ways to get infected, assume at some time you will get a virus. Be prepared and have all your data backed up ahead of time.