SCAREWARE! BEWARE!

byjdonn

219 followers

14 years ago

Do you know what SCAREWARE is?  Well, I didn't before last month!  Just in case you don't know, it's when you see a pop-up window on your computer saying that you now have like 10-15 viruses released onto your system. 

Oh, and it was done VERY cleverly too!  This malicious scareware somehow attached itself to a Hewlett Packard icon on my  "footer" toolbar.  So, it looked like it was from a pre-installed security program from HP (even though I have Mcafee Anti-Virus Plus).  Now I'm sitting there PO'd at Mcafee that they didn't pick this up!

I'm  EMBARRASSED  to say that I fell for this scam.  Oh, I tried to ignore it at first, but the messages kept coming eg. files are being corrupted, dangerous to proceed etc.  Also, my whole pc was locked, couldn't do anything, go anywhere. Finally, I went to this "website" and decided to purchase their "product" (Active Broom Pro).  Big mistake, I never received the software and there was no way to reach them.  Surprised?

End of story.  Mcafee did find a remove a Trojan Virus.  However, some programs were corrupted and I had to back-up my files and do a system restore.  Also, I had to change my bank account information and dispute the charge.  Could have been worse I guess!

Some of you may already be familiar with this type of malicious software.  I don't consider myself naive and am not easily scammed.  This is a  psychological  technique (fear to panic) used by these lowlifes to make money.  I wanted to make this post in order for those who aren't aware of this scam to learn from my mistakes.  And remember BEWARE!