New Fake Antivirus Software Attacks Windows Users

Windows users are being warned about a new fake virus attack, which tricks users into installing malicious software, by posing as a Microsoft security update. Affected users will see an almost exact replica of the real Microsoft update page - the only difference being that the bogus page appears while surfing with third party browser, whereas the genuine Microsoft update site requires Internet Explorer. The report by Sophos, makes an observation that such fake anti-virus attacks have become more professional in approach and appearance which leads to people getting tricked easily. The use of the Microsoft update disguise takes advantage of the monthly 'Patch Tuesday' security updates that Microsoft regularly issues, and that users are encouraged to install to defend their computers. "Users need to be more vigilant than ever before as bogus security alerts pop-up in their browsers. Fake anti-virus attacks are big business for cybercriminals and they are investing time and effort into making them as convincing as possible," said Graham Cluley, Senior Technology Consultant at Sophos. "Malicious hackers are using smart social engineering tricks more and more often, and the risk is that users will be scared by a phoney warning into handing over money to fix problems that never existed in the first place."

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