Antivirus Scan Program Confuses Users
The IT Service Center has seen a large volume of student systems coming in due to a Rogue Virus Scan program infection. These applications are designed to make the user believe they have a virus infection, and they need to run a scan using their software.
Some of these applications are made to look like Norton, McAfee or Windows applications, but they are not legitimate. Many of these applications need interaction to install, such as a browser plug-in, an infected e-mail attachment, video codec’s or software shared on peer-to-peer networks.
There has been an increase in “drive-by downloads,” which exploit security vulnerabilities. The drive-by downloads install the rogue application without any user interaction. An infected website or flash advertisements that pop up on legitimate sites can be utilized to spread the rogue applications.
Simply moving a mouse over a flash player video could be enough to cause an infection. Keep Windows Security updates, Adobe Flash player and your preferred browser up-to-date.
One of the main tools technicians are using to scan, detect and remove these rogue applications is Malwarebytes, a free application for personal systems found at http://www.malwarebytes.org.
Some infections are too severe for Malwarebytes to remove, and the user might need to backup data and reinstall the operating system. The reinstallation of operating systems is outside the scope of services offered by Truman’s ITS.
For suspected rogue infections on a Truman-owned system, contact the 24/7 Central Help Desk immediately at 866.520.2412 or 785.4544. If a personal computer has been infected, contact a vendor or local repair center. For the latest Flash Player, go to: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer and uncheck the “Also Install” free optional application and click the “Agree and Install now” button.
Some of these applications are made to look like Norton, McAfee or Windows applications, but they are not legitimate. Many of these applications need interaction to install, such as a browser plug-in, an infected e-mail attachment, video codec’s or software shared on peer-to-peer networks.
There has been an increase in “drive-by downloads,” which exploit security vulnerabilities. The drive-by downloads install the rogue application without any user interaction. An infected website or flash advertisements that pop up on legitimate sites can be utilized to spread the rogue applications.
Simply moving a mouse over a flash player video could be enough to cause an infection. Keep Windows Security updates, Adobe Flash player and your preferred browser up-to-date.
One of the main tools technicians are using to scan, detect and remove these rogue applications is Malwarebytes, a free application for personal systems found at http://www.malwarebytes.org.
Some infections are too severe for Malwarebytes to remove, and the user might need to backup data and reinstall the operating system. The reinstallation of operating systems is outside the scope of services offered by Truman’s ITS.
For suspected rogue infections on a Truman-owned system, contact the 24/7 Central Help Desk immediately at 866.520.2412 or 785.4544. If a personal computer has been infected, contact a vendor or local repair center. For the latest Flash Player, go to: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer and uncheck the “Also Install” free optional application and click the “Agree and Install now” button.
