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I Hate Computer Viruses

Beware Of This Fake Microsoft Security Essentials Warning!... A couple of weeks ago, i was trying to log into EP, when a large red box appeared on my screen. The box said “Microsoft Security Essentials has detected the following on your computer which might jeopardize your safety:
Hack Tool Win 32 Elevate A
Adware win32. Fraud
TrojansPSW.Win32. launch

Underneath it was a box that said “Clean Computer Now”

The first time it appeared, I closed that box, ran McAfee and all seemed fine. On Friday night, I was trying to log in again and the same box appeared. I got a little worried. I checked Microsoft security and noticed the virus names did not match what was on my Security screen. I called AT&T and as usual, they would not help me unless I paid 15.00 for 12 months.
Luckily, I was under a call warranty with Hewlett Packard. We ran malwarebytes, McAfee, quick scan and Microsoft Defenders..Nothing showed up. We did a system restore back to 2 weeks ago and all was fine.
For the heck of it, I googled Microsoft Security Essentials and sure enough, it was a hoax..Had I clicked on the “clean computer”, I would have allowed the Trojan into my computer. The warning was made to look exactly like Microsoft official notices!
I am including the link here in case you want to arm yourself , hoping this does not happen to you..this tells of the hoax and the remedy to solve the problem.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-fake-microsoft-security-essentials-alert


SunnyJohansen3
I use a highly regarded, free anti-virus called AVG. It does a lot of things MacAfee will not do. I have never had any problem with any virus, etc. It's always running. Protects e-mail, web browsing and you from ID theft. You can set it up to full-computer scan every day or only when you tell it to. Also, they update it constantly, almost daily, with new virus names and you can set it to download those automatically by itself or when you tell it to. NEVER any ads, even though free. And its not a trial! Plus, each year, they build an updated version and encourage you to get it...still for free. Just, if you download it, pay attention to the boxes which ask if you want Yahoo as your home page/search engine, etc....and that's the last you'll see that. Then delete MacAfee from your computer completely.
Missmathematics
thanks i had a company like that phone me and said they wanted to protect my microsoft. they wanted me to type in codes in a box in the computer first of all. lucky my daughter was in and told me to put down the phone because she said they were fake. She said they could have gained acces to my comp if i had gone ahead. i put the phone down on them and the called me back insisting my comp was at risk i ended up telling them where to go....! i get many companies phning about rubbish it's so annoying. hope your keeping well ~A.M
akindheart · 61-69, F
isnt that amazing?!? some nerve..it was always when i logged into ep..that was the heads up that something was not right..
OkCountryBoy
Did you know there are viruses that hide once they have gained entrance ? Some are fakes and others just sit and wait. I had a scary one a while back before my pc guy installed Adblocker.. cuz most come from ads.. But now I am not sure if what I had was a fake or went and hid.. waiting for an opportunity to pounce.. I was told to run MS Security Essentials as often as possible it may fish it out of its hiding place.. it is all guess work for me though.
akindheart · 61-69, F
i know that not all antiviruses can find everything..that is the scary part. i ran malwarebytes, micro security and mcafee..nothing came up..
Harley52
And there you are just adding to what we already know. You are a sharp and smart lady, who cares enough to warn not just her friends, but anyone she can talk to. Thanks sweetheart for the heads up and, hopefully, you have saved a few people from this godawful headache & heartache that would have happened to them. At least it's getting a bit easier to spot some of these things than it used to be. Have a wonderful day honey!
akindheart · 61-69, F
thank you sweet man..something just did not passthe smell test...i should have googled it firsthand..
stillhavingfun123
That appeared one time on my screen recently. I had forgotten about it, until now. I did all the computer checks like you, but I have a friend that is sometimes TOO computer savvy, LOL. She told me what the deal was and I think that was the same site she used to stop that from happening. Thanks for posting it for everyone!
akindheart · 61-69, F
you are very welcome...i am glad I am able to help you!
fungirlmmm
AKH, This is the same issue that Bluebie has been having but she only gets it when she tries to log in to Ep. She got it fixed but then it came back the other night. I am going to send her this link as well. I had sent messages to support about it as well. i hope it leaves you alone so you can surf virus free.
akindheart · 61-69, F
thanks. it is just when i log into EP. weird huh?
fungirlmmm
Her issue is just when she logs in to ep too
Weird stuff. I am gonna hit an admin up on this too. Ugh glad u got it fixed.
OkCountryBoy
You're Good ! And smart. I fell for that a year or so ago.. and it cost me dearly. Then from that I now know to ignore those alerts. Felt the same about this FBI alert but found enough on line and.. had Nitehowl alert me to go see if I had this virus.. I had put off doing it.. And sure enough all was well. It's good to have friends who put a shout out for us.
grtlksailor
This was extremely helpful. When I see something pop-up on my screen that I don't understand, I immediately power off, then power up. Then Google the subject matter, which brought me to this site. You describe the situation perfectly, so I took appropriate action. Thank you.
akindheart · 61-69, F
fantastic! glad to be of assistance. in computer issues, i am the blind leading the blind but the common sense did kick in.
theheartofmemphis
Wow..this happened to me and I actually did click "clean computer now" and guess what...I got the Trojan virus...had to have my computer fixed..lost all my pictures and everything else that was on my computer..I had to learn the hard way..please be careful!!
akindheart · 61-69, F
omg...they made it so easy..sounds like the perfect fix then whammo..if you ever get a warning, google it! i am so sorry for you.
theheartofmemphis
Thanks...luckily my next door neighbor is a computer whiz and had me fixed up in no time..
OkCountryBoy
The virus invasions with all the pop ups are a real pain. Had one recently. Just went to MS Security Essentials and Malwarebytes.. and did a poke around and see .. no such animal existed.. just a fake to get someone to go download their trojan horse.
akindheart · 61-69, F
absolutely correct! good catch on your part..malwarebytes is the best. unfortunately, it collides with my antivirus so i had to install and uninstall it once it ran.
CrazyWaterSpring
Everyone needs to take this as a lesson. Update your operating system. Please update your anti virus at least daily. Not all anti virus programs are the same.

Apple products do get bad things too.
akindheart · 61-69, F
i run scans regularly..and it updates all the time..lucky for me, I have a pretty good sense of what makes sense..this did not look right..
mdevil
Same thing happen to me about a month ago and had to get an ITguy to fix the problem i couldn't get nothing to come up except that software they wanted you to buy to clean your computer!
akindheart · 61-69, F
yes, you had downloaded the trojan..that is exactly what HP said the message would do..
Bluebie
I am having this issue a lot when on EP, and although my anti-virus catches it, it makes me want to just stay away... :(
akindheart · 61-69, F
I got it twice too! wonder why? why just us?
unanimousreorganization
Its really disconcerting that accessing EP is triggering this; have you seen this when hitting other sites? ... let EP support know
akindheart · 61-69, F
no i did not see it anywhere else..just EP. weird huh?
strokemymane
Nice wake up call, huh! You're not so easily fooled....smart woman you are! :) I NEVER ever let a pop up clean my PC. Like you...I'm no fool! (): )
akindheart · 61-69, F
thank you my sweet friend..yes, something did not smell right on this one..glad i did not hit clean computer
Bear1956
Thanks for the warning. I'll keep my eyes open for this.
akindheart · 61-69, F
if you see any warning, please google it first before you take action...this was listed as fake!
Harley52
That's the best solution. Or check the manufacturer's website to see if the threat is real and really from them. It pays to be wary of everything.
dcsm
Thank you..you not only have a kind heart but you're smart too :-) dc
akindheart · 61-69, F
thank you sweetie..that is a great compliment!

 
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