What is Malware?
Malware, short for “malicious software”, is a common type of infection that is often downloaded and installed on your computer when you click on a window like the one shown above. Before the Malware fully downloads to your computer, a pop-up window usually appears, showing a familiar-looking, but ultimately unfamiliar antivirus or security scanner that provides fake alerts that your computer is infected with Trojan horses, viruses, spyware, etc. If you click anywhere on the fake scanner, it allows the Malware to download and fully install on your computer. At this point, you will probably see the Malware insisting that you register/purchase the program in order to remove the “infections” that it found. Most Malware programs do this very aggressively, often preventing you from properly using your computer in an attempt to get you to provide your credit card or other information.
There are two important things to remember: First, the full Malware infection will install itself on your computer if you click anywhere in the fake scanner pop-up Window aside from the very top of the window itself (the row with the red X) – however, even clicking on the top can sometimes trigger the installation. Second, NEVER provide any information that the Malware asks for – it will steal anything that you provide, like your credit card number.
Doesn’t my antivirus program protect against Malware?
Most Malware infections are released and spread across the internet within minutes, and it takes time to develop an antidote – your Antivirus may not be able to recognize the Malware infection if it is particularly new, which is a rather common case.
Additionally, Antivirus programs protect against Viruses, Trojans, and other infections – they can often remove Malware if the definitions are up to date, but they generally don’t detect Malware. The reason for this is that the initial pop-up window isn’t inherently classified as an infection – however, if you click on it, you effectively give the Malware permission to install as any other program would install.
How can I Prevent Malware Infections?
The most important thing you can do is know what antivirus programs you have installed on your computer. Currently, the most common antivirus packages that our client base uses are Symantec Endpoint Protection, Vipre, AVG, and Windows Security Essentials, although there are others in use as well, such as Avast and Trend Micro.
If a pop-up appears stating that there is an infection:
1. Check the title block of the pop-up. In the above image, the title is “XP Security 2012 –Unregistered Version”. If it’s not your Anti-virus, try clicking on the red X on the top right corner of the window. Do not click anywhere else on the window!
2. If the pop-up doesn’t close, try pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL on your keyboard, and clicking on Task Manager. Once the Task Manager window opens, click on the Applications Tab, click on the listed task with the name of the pop-up window (in our example, “XP Security 2012”), and click the End Task button.
3. If this doesn’t close the pop-up window, or if the Task Manager doesn’t open, try rebooting your computer normally – click on the start menu, and choose shut down or reboot.
4. If after closing the program or rebooting the computer you still see suspicious pop-ups or programs you have not seen before, your computer is probably infected.
5. At this point, please call or send us an email right away – the longer a Malware infection stays in your computer, the harder it becomes to remove it.
6. If we are unable to help right away, just shut the computer down and leave it alone until we get in touch with you. Do not try to use the computer while it’s infected, it can make the situation worse.
