Be careful when surfing the Internet. Cybercrime now use fear the user to use and buy a fake security software. Symantec Corp, announced the results of the study entitled Report on Rogue Security Software. The study was conducted based on data for 12 months from July 2008 until June 2009.
Fake security software or “scareware” that software is claimed as the original security software. Perhaps the application can install malicious programs or reduce the overall computer security.
User concerns is the gap that allows the attacker to give such false advertising. The ads usually give false claims like “if the flickering ads, your computer may be at risk or infected.” This in turn forces the user to follow a link to scan their computers or get “some” software to eliminate the threat.
According to the study, 93% software installation of fake security software are 50 top downloaded intentionally by the user. Until June 2009, Symantec has detected more than 250 kinds of fake security software programs.
Users not only losses from the financial aspect, but also personal data and credit card information provided during the purchase. As a result, the data can be used for other scams and sold in the forums black market that ended with identity theft.
Meanwhile, many methods used to trick users so they must download software. For example, by relying on scare tactics to frighten and other social engineering tricks. Fake security software is advertised through a variety of ways, ranging from malicious Web site or an official such as blogs, forums, social networking sites and adult sites. So, stay alert if they find the ads flickering.
