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'Scareware' scams trick searchers
news.bbc. ^ | 23 March 2009

Posted on 03/22/2009 10:46:03 PM PDT by JoeProBono

Makers of fake anti-virus software are exploiting search engines to drive people to sites peddling 'scareware'.

Using popular and mis-spelled search terms, the criminals divert people to sites that are seeded with fake warnings about virus infections.

The pop-up warnings claim that a visitor's PC is riddled with malicious programmes and spyware.

Research suggests some criminals are making as much as $10,000 a day from fake security software.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: scam; scareware
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To: Nighttime in America
I can't remember about FF 2. I use FF 3.0.7 right now.

The URL appears in the lower left corner of the window, down where it says "Done" after loading a page.

21 posted on 03/23/2009 8:27:36 AM PDT by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: ShadowAce

Okay, that’s why I’m not seeing the URL. FF 2 doesn’t have that status line.


22 posted on 03/23/2009 8:33:32 AM PDT by Nighttime in America
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To: Nighttime in America

It’s a great anti-phishing tool. I highly recommend the upgrade just for that functionality.


23 posted on 03/23/2009 8:36:33 AM PDT by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: MichiganMan

I work in tech support and every day I see my customers get this kind of crap on their computer. I have developed a new hatred on the people that write this stuff. Unless they have the antivirus software that comes with the ISP, I have to tell them to take their computers to local computer repair or wipe their HD. No one deserves this kind of crap. Well... Palosi maybe.


24 posted on 03/23/2009 8:40:10 AM PDT by christx30
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To: JoeProBono

Those fake antivirus programs are a menace.


25 posted on 03/23/2009 8:40:43 AM PDT by mysterio
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To: ShadowAce
Oh, it definitely is. The problem is that I work in a large office where all the machines are locked down. We're not allowed to install or upgrade anything.

There's always home, though.

26 posted on 03/23/2009 8:45:16 AM PDT by Nighttime in America
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To: Nighttime in America; ShadowAce
> Okay, that’s why I’m not seeing the URL. FF 2 doesn’t have that status line.

Sure it does, I used it for years. Check your "View" settings -- you can enable or disable it.

27 posted on 03/23/2009 1:07:18 PM PDT by dayglored (Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!)
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To: dayglored; ShadowAce
Sure it does, I used it for years. Check your "View" settings -- you can enable or disable it.

Duh. I never noticed that setting. The status bar works fine now. Thanks.

28 posted on 03/24/2009 5:34:52 AM PDT by Nighttime in America
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To: Nighttime in America; ShadowAce
> Duh. I never noticed that setting. The status bar works fine now. Thanks.

Chalk up another one for the FreeRepublic HelpDesk! ;-)

Happy to help out...

29 posted on 03/24/2009 6:28:13 AM PDT by dayglored (Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!)
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