A slew of new malicious software is plaguing Microsoft Windows users that utilize Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome, tricking people into downloading malware.
The new Rogue: MSIL/Zeven malware pops up an alert screen that makes it look like it is legitimately scanning a PC for malware, trojans and other security threats. It goes a step beyond by even given users the opportunity to select certain files, informs users when software is outdated, and supposedly offers access to security control settings.
It's extremely difficult to determine which screen is legitimate and which one is fake, with Microsoft now warning users about the Rogue:MSIL/Zeven threat. One of the screens includes a typo, which users should look out for, but it will take a keen eye not to be duped by Zeven.
As noted by others, simply using caution when downloading files can help prevent this problem.
Malware has historically been a Windows-centric issue, but it has now spread to Linux and Mac OS X, security experts continue to warn. To make matters worse, there are new ways for malware and other security problems to spread: USB storage devices are now highly targetted for spreading infections.
Online criminals are becoming increasingly clever with phishing and malware attacks, as they try to target as many PC users as possible. The use of malware as a tool to steal passwords, bank account credentials and other information remains popular among cyber thugs. They use tricks that include fake celebrity news and pictures, free consumer products, and similar techniques used to help spread the malware.
Some browsers, like Firefox, can warn you about some malicious websites, but not all of them. The screenshot above shows a malicious website posing as a real browser security warning, which could easily trick some users into downloading some nasty software.
The lesson is that you should always be suspicious of downloading anything, especially if you are not the one requesting the download. Windows users in particular should always run real-time Antivirus software, with full system scans scheduled periodically. If you're in need of an Antivirus package for Windows, Microsoft now provides a free solution in the form of Windows Security Essentials.
