There are all sorts of wonderful ways that Trojans sneak into our computers. One of them is a fake version of Microsoft Security Essentials. A user is happily working away at her computer – let’s call her Jane. All of a sudden a box pops up to alert Jane that a number of harmful Trojans have attacked her computer. Even though Jane is suspicious it all seems pretty legit, besides the application won’t let her access the internet. Confused and unsure Jane opens the fake Microsoft Security Essentials Alert that informs her that the computer is severely infected and viruses need to be removed. When the “Apply” or “Clean Computer” button is clicked of course the programs says it is unable to remove the viruses and that Jane must “scan online” in order to be virus free. This is all a rouse to make Jane think her computer is infected so that she installs a rogue program onto her computer, essentially putting the computer on “lock down” Jane will not be able to access any of her files until she purchases the “virus removing” software suggested.
It is an elaborate scheme that many a computer user has cursed. The perpetrators not only cause hours or even days of frustration and lost information but they can also make off with hundreds of dollars. The good news is that there is no need to take a computer to pricey computer technicians or call the Geek Squad. There are instructions on how to remove this virusn online. Victims may need to use a separate computer in order to download Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware and other removal instructions but besides more time and more frustration users can have their computer up and running for free. Can this scheme be avoided? Yes, if the message pops up on your screen, do not click on anything or download anything. Immediately press CTL+ALT+DEL and update your installed anti-virus program.