Twokinds ARCHIVE Forums

Today my stepfather asked me to check something on his computer, said it was something serious about viruses. When I saw a pop-up "2707 viruses found!" and a newly installed program, I realized the computer was indeed infected, but even worse.

(I could've yelled at him at that point, but I know it's really not his fault. Old chaps don't really just know how to use a computer these days)

A little research revealed that he had fell for a fake ad, claiming that computer is infected severely (note: this is a simple virus delivered via e-mail - computer was probably all clean with only that exception) and he must buy and install a program called "XP SecurityCenter" for a mere 150 euros. After installation, the program "found" 2707 viruses, and "removed" them.

It all sounds genuine so far, except for the vast amount of viruses - I know that particular computer is in next to no real use. Real clever.

But with a little use of my dear friends brain, logic and google I find out that the program does nothing, nada, nothing at all - except for opening a hell lot of gates for real viruses and installing couple of it's own. Did I already mention the 150 paid?

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Use of AviraAV and SpybotSD didn't help (Avira actually started spamming the detection window - what does that tell ya?). They only made me realize in how critical condition the machine truly was. Internet is full of instructions how to remove it, but they're all different, contradicting and require more "safe programs", so I told him to choose the few trusted good citizens to be carried into safety and burn the Rome. End of the story.

He closed the card he used and canceled the transaction, too.

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This is a fair warning to you all. There are a lot of these kinds of viruses, programs and ads around. You don't need to scan porn for hours to get infected, just one E-mail is enough. This should be common knowledge, but apparently it isn't..

If there's a suspicious thing lying on your desktop, there's always google.
Also, if you don't have AviraAV and SpybotSD (or anything of the kind (heard Ad-Aware is good, too)), install them naow!! Maybe if my stepfather would have had those in advance, he would've never even heard of "XP SecurityCenter".

If you guys have any good insights on this or know more malware such as XP SecurityCenter, post 'em here.

Perhaps I should make a list or something.

I really wanted to put this on ranting board...

I use SUPERAntiSpyware (a free download for spyware), as well as McAfee (for viruses). It keeps my computer pretty safe.

The Register has the XP Security Center scam covered in fascinating detail.

I'll keep an eye out for anything else exciting, but my attention tends to be drawn by server-level threats rather than consumer grade ones. (Which is, perhaps, ironic, considering that I wander even the darker ends of the 'Nets protected solely by a paranoid firewall, my own intelligence, and paranoia.)

I use avast. Hijack, and spyware terminator :P yea i read about that. It was the first link on Jimmyr.com for a while :P i thought that was insaine.

Thanks avwolf, I checked out that link myself. This is quite a well made program and it's a pity that these programmers are working to manipulate the more ignorant computer user. I hope others can keep up this kind of exposure and help suppress this sort of degenerative activity.

AVG and Spybot S&D keep my system clean. If anything really goes to hell, I always have my dad to help. :P

I'd use Avast, even if it isn't a pretty program it works just as well as the pay-per ones.

Better, even, in some cases.

Looks like there's a new attack out that uses Twitter to convince people to install a trojan designed to steal Orkut account data. Sure, few, if any, of us use Orkut, but it's a small step from there to exploits we're going to be concerned about.

I never actually checked the article up until now (because I was already aware of how they basically work), although I did take a look at The Register. Interesting site, indeed.

Reading the article further revealed that they're writing about another malware program, but no so different none-the-less.


Disturbingly professional looking for the people who don't know how to watch for themselves (Which actually reminds me how ugly the REAL anti-spy/virus programs are XD).

Gee, long time ago they spent a whole bunch of tax-money to send a policeman to tell us about how illegal download programs and torrents are, but never about how dangerous the legit-looking safety programs are.

They're a great snarky, British tech site. They share my mistrust of the much loved companies and enjoy mocking the powerhouses of the tech world. Their tech coverage is very good, though I admit to mostly reading them for the articles on Apple and Google and the BOFH. :P

I've made certain that my father's PC is well-protected by a REAL adnit-virus rogram, and also SpyBotSD.
In addition, I've made bl**dy certain that his normal user doesn't have admin rights. That stops most of that crap...

Getting him hooked on Opera instead of IE didn't hurt, either...
(I'd get him over on OS X if I could, but he's not interested in buying a new computer at the moment)

Of couse, as he doesn't use email, and have no clue what an IM program is, he's a little less likely to be hit by some of the crap going around...
(He mostly uses the net to download info about CDs he's just ripped. This may change if he ever gets ADSL instead of dialup, of course)

AVG also makes an Anti-Malware program that you could download a trial for just to run it once and remove it.

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/ ... ware.shtml