Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Fake anti-virus software has been the scourge of the net for awhile now, but hackers are now taking it a step further and making it even more sinister.  Panda Labs says that Total Security 2009 starts out like most fake anti-viruses.  It “scans” the victim’s computer and tells them they’ve… Continue Reading »

There have been quite a few security issues in the news this past week.  Let’s take a look at some of the top stories:  Hackers wasted no time in exploiting the release of the much anticipated MMS functionality for the iPhone.  AT&T finally made it available on Friday (September 25,… Continue Reading »

Visitors to the New York Times website over the weekend got an unwelcome surprise in the form of malicious ads serving scareware.  The ads instigated a browser hijack and redirect visitors to best-antivirus03.com, a rogue site serving up fake anti-virus software.  The Times is aware of the issue and posted… Continue Reading »

Almost everyone has run across it and perhaps some of you have fallen for it - rogue anti-virus programs.  Also known as scareware, these programs are infesting the net, and researchers say they net the scammers behind them a staggering $34 million a month.  They work very simply, either a… Continue Reading »

So called “Hit Man” spam is back.  This type of spam attempts to extort people rather than sell them things or trick them into installing malware on their system.  Basically, they get an email from someone claiming they have been hired to kill them but if they pay a certain… Continue Reading »

This week let’s take a look at what’s happening in the news.  It seems malware is everywhere!  Our first report comes from England where it’s been discovered that hundreds of government run websites have been hacked.  Anyone visiting them is redirected to either a porn site or a shady pharmacy… Continue Reading »

Imagine being on your computer one day, minding your own business, surfing the web-and then suddenly finding yourself locked out of your own computer!  A message pops up on your screen saying control will be returned to you-for a price.  It might even tell you dire things will happen to… Continue Reading »

This week’s column is all about the scourge of scareware.  Most of us have seen it at one time or another as we surf the web.  A pop up will suddenly appear with dire warnings that your system is infected or critical errors were found in your registry.  Clicking on… Continue Reading »

Microsoft has joined Washington state in a lawsuit against scammers who use “scareware” to sell useless and often malicious software.  The vendors, who will not be identified until Monday, are being charged under the state’s Computer Spyware Act.  So called “scareware” is the name given to those programs that advertise… Continue Reading »