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For their latest trick, malware makers are using banner ads on high-traffic sites like MySpace and Excite to entice people into installing adware, spyware, and "scareware" -- software that, in the words of Washington Post blogger Brian Krebs, "reports false or exaggerated system security threats on the user's computer, mainly in an attempt to get them to buy even more worthless software to clean up the supposed security problems."
People who unwittingly click on malicious MySpace banner ads will be bombarded with adware, spyware, and Trojan horse programs that are difficult to detect and often almost impossible to remove. Meanwhile, a security researcher found a banner ad on Excite.com that redirects to a page that attempts to install the scareware program "PerformanceOptimizer."
Installing regular security updates to Explorer and popular plug-ins like QuickTime and Flash can help mitigate these problems. Using Firefox browser when surfing unfamiliar sites also provides some protection.
You also have to be vigilant about downloading and installing security updates, which may or may not have been thoroughly tested by software makers before they were released. (Sometimes in the race to plug security holes, software providers inadvertently cause bigger problems than the ones they fix.)
Proactive maintenance services like JustRight Technology's Tech-Pro Service offer a great alternative to the "do it yourself" approach. Tech-Pro takes the burden of security updates off the individual user. Security patches are tested before being installed, and regular sweeps for adware and spyware make sure they're removed promptly. We can also block websites like MySpace so that your employees cannot visit them at all.
No matter what protections you have in place, it's generally best not to click on anything that blinks, flashes, or gives you scary warnings that "Your computer may be infected with harmful spyware programs!!!" But if you happen to accidentally download one of these nasties, it's nice to know a service like JustRight's Tech-Pro has your back.
TIP PROVIDED BY:
Ray Smith, Managing Director JustRight Technology 410-747-2001 | 301-960-4699 rsmith@justright.com
http://www.JustRight.com
Microsoft Small Business Specialist Microsoft Certified Professional
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