Tricked into Downloading Malware!

Believe it or not, if you get malware on your computer, the chances are very good that you downloaded it yourself!

Of course, you didn't download the malware intentionally.  Instead, a smart scammer tricked you into doing it.  Even your security and anti-virus software may not protect you from these types of viruses and malware, since you download it yourself.  Scammers have gotten extremely sophisticated.

How Scammers Trick You Into Downloading Malware

So, how do they do it?

First, they advertise free games, programs, videos or music.  You may see the promotions in an email, on social media or as an advertisement.

Next, when you try to open these items, you get a message that says you do not have the right software or that you need a software upgrade in order to get the free programs to work.

Naturally, you do a search to find the right software.  In the case of a video, they may suggest that need to add a special viewer or something else to your media player.  When you find the software or viewer, you download it.  No problem.  In fact, the games, programs, videos or music you want to use works just fine, so you are sure that everything you did was legitimate.

Unfortunately, this is not true.

When you downloaded the software, you may have also downloaded malware that can steal your private information or allow them to secretly use your computer for cybercrime!  You will have no idea this is happening.

Even when the crimes they are committing are not that serious, its possible that you may have inadvertently downloaded spyware that will allow them to sell your information, interests or search history to someone else.

How to Avoid Downloading Malware

First of all, think about this issue.  Any legitimate company will provide you with games, videos, programs and music that uses mainstream software.  They would not want to limit their customer base by requiring you to download anything special.  If a company says that you need to download something extra in order to get their items to work,  DO NOT DO IT!

Second, if you do need new software, only download it from legitimate sources like Microsoft or Apple.

Third, use anti-virus software and keep it up-to-date.  I also recommend that you use malware protection, too.  I like HitmanPro, but there are others.  HitmanPro was the only software that was able to remove some malware that I accidentally downloaded on my computer about a year ago.  (Yes, I'm speaking about this topic from experience, since I have fallen for these tricks myself.  I kept seeing an ad that told me I needed to update my Flash Player.  I clicked on it and, a few days later, I discovered that I had malware on my computer.  It cost me nearly $100 and hours of my time to get rid of it.)

Finally, keep your software and operating system up-to-date, as well.  The newer everything is on your computer, the less susceptible it is to malware ... although nothing is perfect.


Source:

http://www.scambusters.org/virusdownload.html

You are reading from the blog:  http://lies-and-liars.blogspot.com

Photo credit:  Photo taken by author, Deborah75; all rights reserved.

Malware and Viruses on Internet Sites

Shouldn't internet sites be held responsible for checking their advertisers and blocking those ads that carry malware and viruses?  Why should computer users feel like the internet is the Wild West?  Shouldn't the sites be liable for some of the malware that they let through?

Approximately a year ago, I got a nasty piece of malware on my computer.  When I called McAfee and spent hours trying to restore my computer ... which was only possible after I had also installed HitmanPro ... the technician that helped me said that I had probably picked up the malware when I had clicked on an ad on one of the websites I use.

Wait a minute!  Have you ever tried NOT to click on some of those ads?  Often they pop up just as you are scrolling down the page and your cursor happens to roll over them.  It can be almost impossible to avoid every single ad.

My reaction to this piece of information was to install AdBlocker on my computer, too, and I use it on many of the websites that I use.  However, while it is a big help, it doesn't prevent all ads from showing up.  In addition, I know that, without advertising, many websites would have to close down.  They rely on the advertisers in order to operate.

While I realize that advertising revenue is important, I feel that these websites have a responsibility to make sure that the ads they show are not going to install a virus or malware on the computers of their readers.

Recently I read about a similar danger in an ad that is being run on Facebook.  Here is the relevant information from Scambusters:

http://www.scambusters.org/cybercrime.html

In their report, Scambusters suggests that readers be careful not to fall for the "free $100 Amazon gift card, thanks to an offer that’s just popped up on your Facebook page."  Apparently, there is no gift card.  However, if you click on the link or share it with your friends, you will be "spreading a scam that phishes for personal info or plants malware on your — and their — PCs."

If Scambusters knows about this fraudulent offer, then Facebook must know about it, too.  Consequently, why doesn't Facebook remove it?

It seems to me that internet sites are not doing an adequate job of monitoring the ads that appear on their pages.  They receive revenue from many of these ads, of course.  It's time they stepped in and made sure the ads are trustworthy and are only there to promote legitimate products or companies.

Consumers need to let these websites know exactly how they feel ... even if it means they boycott some websites until they clean up their advertisers.

If we are ever going to feel safe on the internet, it can only happen when the professionals who run the sites take some responsibility for protecting the consumers.

You are reading from the site:  http://lies-and-liars.blogspot.com

Photo credit:  Photo taken by author, Deborah-Diane; all rights reserved.