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Recently ( April, 2011), a ransomware hoax has been appearing after victims unknowingly download and install a Trojan which displays a message on their PC that says “This copy of Windows is locked.  You may be a victim of fraud or there may be an internal error.”  Just like the real Microsoft message, you are prompted to reactivate your copy of Windows, which is always denied, then given six telephone numbers to call for customer assistance, assured that they will be free calls.  But they’re anything but, as the pretend Microsoft representatives direct the call to an automated call center where you are kept on hold for several minutes, racking up high long distance calls in a practice known as “short stopping” (billing a call at a rate much higher than is reasonable).  How to fix this?  Try using the current unlock code 1351236 (source:computerworld.com) or go to a previous Windows restore point or image backup if you have one.

If you receive an e-mail containing a link promising to upgrade Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express, you should simply delete the mesage to avoid downloading a nasty Trojan Horse virus.  It’s a scam.  Of course, you should know this by now, since Microsoft never sends e-mails with download links embedded in them.

According to MX Logic, a company specializing in messaging security, the most prevalent spam tactics being employed at this time are the tried-and-true bogus e-card platform, much of which was pitched around Halloween related themes (so look out for Christmas and New Year’s for upcoming themes; also economic upheaval).  Fake overnight shipping bills, which included malware-infecting links were also popular.  The top five most popular spam verticals were messages related to topics of health, one-time consumer offers, phishing, foreign languages and gambling.  Pharmaceutical related spam was also strong, as well.  The U.S. remained the leading source of unsolicited e-mail, followed by Spain, Brazil, the U.K. and Germany.  Among the malware attacks affiliated with the spam, Trojan threats occupied four of the top five spots for the month.  On the bright side, spam has been even for several month, and has not increased.

If you’re on YouTube and you get a message telling you that you must download a plug-in to view a video, be careful.  Many of the plug-ins are redirections to an alternate site that may contain malware.  If it’s not from a source like Adobe, Macromedia or the like, you may not want to take the chance.

E-mails claiming that recipients accounts are overdrawn or have been accessed by someone else are increasing.  These e-mails attempt to trick users into running an attached file (often “instructions.zip”) which is carrying a malicious payload (such as Mal/FakeAV-BT or Mal/BredoZp-B).  The e-mail claims that access has temporarily been prevented to your account, and that you have to follow the instructions in the attached file to regain access.  Don’t.  Call your provider by telephone if you have any doubts as to your account information.

TIP:  IF IT’S NOT BROKEN, DON’T FIX IT!  You’ll notice a commonality in the Hoaxes, Security and News pages of this site.  It involves the pressure to upgrade software (such as drivers or video software) or to install new software (for example, in order to view certain types of video or graphics on a web page).  Think twice before doing so:  If everything is working fine on your computer, leave it alone!  You don’t need to upgrade, no matter what you’re told.  If you’re told to download and install software to view or play a webpage or a file, think twice - - There’s a very strong chance that your download may include malware.  Unless it’s from a major player such as Adobe, Macromedia or the like (you can verify this by going directly to their Home page, then “downloads”) you should be aware of the risk.  And, if you do upgrade or install, don’t click the boxes for “free offers” or “updates” since you’re giving them permission to e-mail you whenever they want.  Think about how badly you really want to view that web page!

If you get an e-mail message that purports to be from a friend or family member in your address and contains a YouTube link, beware.  That’s the tactic being used to spread a worm that can turn off your antivirus, firewall and anti-hijacking software so that it can spread.  This is a variation of the similar type of e-mail from an electronic greeting card company, or a “Hallmark card for you,” notifying you that you have an e-card from a friend.   Beware!

According to the Federal Trade Commission, if you receive e-mails informing you that a claim has been filed with the FTC against your e-mail address, it is a virus.  The phony e-mails contain a return address of “frauddep@ftc.gov” and contain an attachment which, if opened, will install a virus that can steal passwords and account numbers.

Over the past several years there have been many hoaxes claiming that cellphone numbers are going to be made public and that, as a result, telemarketing companies will be assaulting your with calls for which you will possibly be charged.  THIS IS NOT TRUE.  If you respond to the telephone number provided (888.382.1222), the good news is that it really is the telephone number for the national Do Not Call Registry at the FTC and that registering is simply another level of protection, not harmful.  For more information, click HERE.

Here’s another hoax that just won’t go away:  Speed up your computer by up to 80% by disabling Windows’ QoS feature.  Not.  QoS (“Quality of Service”), which was first included in Windows 2000 was a network setting that only works with certain sites using QoS, which also has to be enabled on your computer.  When enabled, it caps your QoS bandwidth connection at 20%.  If you’re not connected to a site using QoS and it is not enabled on your computer, disabling it will have absolutely no effect on the internet speed of your computer and may actually slow it down for certain applications (like VoIP).  There is no truth to the fact that disabling QoS will free up 20% or more of your bandwidth.  Much less 80%.  And there’s no way to determine which sites use QoS, so just leave the setting alone!

Password Stealer Targets SKYPE - If you happen to see any downloads or receive any file attachments named Skype-Defender, stay away from them.  The file, targeted at Skype Internet telephony users, is actually a Trojan that steals passwords. 

If it LOOKS like a get-rich-quick scheme, and FEELS like a get-rich-quick scheme, then IT PROBABLY IS!  By now most of us are aware of the Nigerian Scam and its variations, but for those of us who aren’t:  BEWARE e-mail letters purporting to be from Nigeria or thereabouts asking assistance in reaching money supposedly tied up by the government and agreeing to share the proceeds if you will only send some money to help them recover the funds. 

GENERAL RULES FOR SPOTTING HOAXES:

1.  Is it a chain letter?  If so, it’s probably a hoax, no matter how well written or how slick its style.  Also, if it was obviously sent to tons of recipients, it’s probably a hoax, even if you know the sender.

2.  Does it use lots of UPPERCASE and BOLD text and repeated exclamation points !!!!!!!  If so, it’s probably a hoax.

3.  Does it claim that it “is NOT a hoax”?  Then it probably is.

4.  Does it ask you to “forward this to everyone you know”?  It’s most likely a hoax.

5.  Does it look like it was actually written by the person who sent it (if you know them), or is it identified by signature? If not, it may well be a  hoax.

6.  Does the e-mail present really important information that you’ve never heard about before (e.g. cell phone numbers going public)? It could be a hoax.

7.  Is it too good to be true?  (See “Nigerian Scam,” above)  Of course, it’s a hoax.  Especially if you’re requested to pay up front.

8.  Are there any references verifying the information or links to corroborating information, i.e. are the facts supported?  If not, you’re likely being hoaxed.  Check independent sites or sources to verify the facts. 

Also, check the hoax sites shown below to see if it is, in fact, verified as a hoax.

For more advice about specific types of scams and how to avoid them, go to the How To Spot Scammers page.  For a comprehensive discussion about the various types of spyware, go to the Spyware page.

    The SECURITY page of this site contains information about FAKE ANTI-VIRUS scams, click HERE for more.

For an extensive discussion of Online Fraud Prevention - including Identity Theft, Online Scams, E-Mail scams, Phishing & Credit Card Fraud, plus more on prevention tips and resources, click HERE to go to the Host Merchant Services site.  [Thanks to Ms. Clark’s Class for the suggestion!]

For a fairly complete listing of various actual hoaxes, click on these links: Symantec    McAfee    F-Secure

ALSO: Snopes, Snopes2; TruthOrFiction; About.com; Hoax-Slayer; VMyths; HoaxBusters.

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MURPHY’S LAWS OF COMPUTING #11:  The attention span of a computer is only as long as it’s electrical cord.

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