Dear <<First Name>>
 *** Urgent Message ***
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Fake Antivirus
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Phone Call Scams
These last few weeks have seen a spate of FAKE web pages or phone call SCAMS which will try to trick you in thinking that your computer is either infected or that you have serious issues.
Fake Antivirus
When surfing the web you may get a fake web page tricking you into thinking that your computer is infected by showing an image similar to the page you get when you click on My Computer. Believe me this is NOT your My Computer page but merely a web page with a fake scan and a fake list of infections. Do NOT click on this page or your computer will get infected!
The best and safest way to prevent infection at this stage is to close your web browser, open it again but avoid the page you were last visiting.
You can close your browser in one of two ways:
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Right click on the browser task item in the Task bar and click Close.
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Press your keyboard buttons in sequence as follows – Ctrl Alt Del, this will open the Windows Task Manager. On the Applications tab, select the Task that represents your Internet Browser. Click on the End Task button at the bottom and then close the Windows Task manager.
If you are already infected then these Fake programs are able to disable the current security settings for your computer and will then allow or propagate further infections to occur. Removal or un-installation is not easy as they will not uninstall in the normal way.
The fake software reports that you need to buy the full version to remove the virus issues on your computer. Many people are then tricked to purchase this fake software and hand over their credit card details and make the payment. You credit card details are now compromised.
More Information
Hackers are using special software to try to get FTP access to web site hosting services and when they do, they are able to modify or create links on a perfectly legitimate web site. When this link is clicked you are then taken to the fake web page.
The computers I have repaired in the last two weeks have been infected in this way with fake antivirus software (pictures displayed where possible).
Best Malware Protection
AVG Antivirus 2011 (there is also a genuine version of this software)
MS Removal Tool
XP Internet Security 2010 also known as XP Guardian, XP AntiSpyware 2010, XP Antivirus Pro and Antivirus XP 2010.
XP Internet Security 2011 similar to above
Phone Call Scams
Many Britons have been targeted by cold callers claiming to be from Microsoft phoning to fix a fake computer problem. Typically they start off by saying that they are calling for Microsoft and that they have had a report from your Internet Service Provider of serious (virus) problems from your computer. You are then directed to Windows Event Viewer and get you to agree that there are serious or critical issues with your computer. (Please do not let the Event Viewer alarm you. Events are logged for all sorts of reasons such as when a web site is not available or a program did not close properly). The caller gets you to download software that enables them to control your computer, followed by their fee and a subscription to prevent further issues. Credit card payment for the “fix” is then requested to be paid. This amounts to £180 or more and compromises your card details.
Some further reading about the scam, see:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/18/phone-scam-india-call-centres
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/jul/19/police-crackdown-phone-scam-computer
http://www.digitaltoast.co.uk/supportonclick-systemrecure-scam
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2010/jul/20/phone-calls-india-scams
http://forums.windowsforum.org/index.php?showtopic=45599
http://www.pcproblem.co.uk/?p=49
http://www.jameswiseman.com/blog/tag/windows-support-telephone-scam/
Watch the video on this page:
http://www.computeractive.co.uk/ca/pc-help/1908340/exposed-cold-pc-service-company-tried-mislead
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Cleaning your Virus Infection:
You should leave this task to your computer support person, who may have already studied the cleaning of your particular type of infection and has a suitable procedure. Cleaning viruses can be very tricky and many trusted scanning applications should be used to properly remove all traces of an infection. This should be followed by manual deletion of some files and folders that the scanners tend to leave behind.
However, you could try to use the System Restore feature to restore your computer back to the date and time BEFORE you were infected. To do so...
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Save all your work (if you were busy on something) and close all open programs.
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Click Start, Programs/All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore.
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Ensure the Radio Button is selected next to the item labelled Restore my computer to an earlier time. Click Next
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Choose an available date and time, before the infection occurred. Click Next
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Follow the rest of the instructions.
This routine is not guaranteed as you may have had other infections prior to the one you had noticed or the restore may not fix the infection.
Some infections will prevent you from Accessing System Restore or will infect your file system so that you are not able to execute programs or computer operaions.
If you are not comfortable with the above or need a thorough cleanout and a service, please contact Martin's HelpDesk with your issue using our Support Request.
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