Now that's insidious... - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

sperry · 2009-10-30, 01:26 PM

I just wasted my lunch break (and then some) on the phone playing computer tech support for my Dad.

He caught a nice case of this:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/viru...ctive-security

It's a fake virus scanner that is itself a virus. The best part: if you're dumb you can pay $90 for the opportunity to own the full licensed version of the virus! Luckily my Dad didn't get that far because he noticed the spelling errors in the fake virus warning messages and called me.

Unfortunately, the damn thing is smart enough to detect when you're downloading the anti-spyware programs that will get rid of it and it cancels the download before they complete. Fucking awesome.

So, it looks like the next time I'm down to my parent's place, I get to hack at a crappy virus. I think I'll just format the bitch and reinstall windows.

cody · 2009-10-30, 04:32 PM

A fresh install will make it faster anyway, if it's an older install.

However, MBAM is the shit. Can you mail him a CD with the installer on it and have him install it that way?

100_Percent_Juice · 2009-10-31, 08:30 AM

I think I had that or something very similar on my computer once. It disables your web browser so you can't download anti-virus programs but also prevents them from running if you already have them installed. I had to change the name of the mbam exe file for it to run. They are getting very tricky these days.

Dean · 2009-10-31, 08:34 AM

Ultimate Boot Disks/CDs. Either text, or Windows should be able to fix it if you don't want to reinstall. Or better yet, take your laptop and a USB case and clean it that way. Just an idea.

2009-10-30, 01:26 PM	#1
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	Now that's insidious... I just wasted my lunch break (and then some) on the phone playing computer tech support for my Dad. He caught a nice case of this: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/viru...ctive-security It's a fake virus scanner that is itself a virus. The best part: if you're dumb you can pay $90 for the opportunity to own the full licensed version of the virus! Luckily my Dad didn't get that far because he noticed the spelling errors in the fake virus warning messages and called me. Unfortunately, the damn thing is smart enough to detect when you're downloading the anti-spyware programs that will get rid of it and it cancels the download before they complete. Fucking awesome. So, it looks like the next time I'm down to my parent's place, I get to hack at a crappy virus. I think I'll just format the bitch and reinstall windows. __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2009-10-30, 04:32 PM	#2
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	A fresh install will make it faster anyway, if it's an older install. However, MBAM is the shit. Can you mail him a CD with the installer on it and have him install it that way? __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2009-10-31, 08:30 AM	#3
100_Percent_Juice (40 percent vodka) Real Name: Joel Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 4,446 Car: 2004WRX Class: Baby-Hauler/GroceryGetter	I think I had that or something very similar on my computer once. It disables your web browser so you can't download anti-virus programs but also prevents them from running if you already have them installed. I had to change the name of the mbam exe file for it to run. They are getting very tricky these days. __________________ "A power nap is when you sleep on someone who is weaker than you." - Dimitri Martin

2009-10-31, 08:34 AM	#4
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	Ultimate Boot Disks/CDs. Either text, or Windows should be able to fix it if you don't want to reinstall. Or better yet, take your laptop and a USB case and clean it that way. Just an idea. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...