| Kippreport.com

Google warns of phony anti-virus software scams

April 29, 2010 7:55 by Katherine Azmeh

The threat of fake anti-virus software is rising, Google said this week, reporting on the results of a 13 month analysis of Web-based malware, the Daily Star reported Thursday.

Around 15 percent of the malware detected in the Google study was described as fake AV, often marketed through ‘scare tactic’ type pop-ups. Even worse Google noted, is the practice of bundling the fake AV with other malware, which then attacks the victim’s computer regardless of whether the victim purchases the phony software.

Google warned that victims who go on to purchase the malware risk exposing their credit card data to cybercriminals, the Daily Star added.

Tags: fake anti-virus software, fake av, google, malware, web-based malware