(WHAS11) -- Anti-virus software is one of the easiest ways consumers can protect their computers. But that protection has become a target for scammers and a consumer's best intentions can end up being pretty costly.
One of the simplest steps to protect a computer, and the personal information stored there, is installing anti-virus software, and updating it on a regular basis. With that in mind, internet security experts have noticed a fast-growing trend, scammers trying to snare well-intentioned consumers with fake anti-virus warnings and Malware.
”Nowadays it's gotten a lot worse because cyber-criminals can make a lot of money off of this so they've developed elaborate graphical user-interfaces to mimic things,” said Derek Manky, a fortinet senior security expert.
Manky says the "scareware" can silently install itself on a computer and try to hijack existing anti-virus software.
Red flags that a virus warning may not be legitimate can include redirecting a user to a website, and asking for a credit card number to fix the so-called problem. In the event of a scam, take the computer offline, reinstall existing anti-virus software and complete a new scan of the device.
To avoid getting tripped up by such a scam in the first place, have safe web browsing in place, as well as web filtering security software and anti-virus protection to block malicious websites.
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