Tip #4211 - Windows Update E-mail Scam
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Windows
Update E-mail Scam
Today's
topic is something that has been around for the last couple of years,
but within the last few weeks, it seems to have crept back up again.
Therefore, I felt it was my duty to warn you all about it once more.
Now, I know a lot of you have probably already heard of this and you
may have dealt with it yourselves before too, but either way, this is
a security issue and you all need to be aware of it. Alright, let's
get right to it!
To
begin, this e-mail scam has to do with the Windows Updates that come
out every second Tuesday of each month. The hackers involved with this
scam are pretending to be Microsoft and they're sending out fake e-mails,
telling users they need to install a critical update right away. They
give you a link to follow, which takes you to a false version of the
Windows Update Web site. You are then presented with a series of links
you can use to download the update, but in all actuality, you're downloading
a Trojan virus and other malicious patches. If your computer becomes
infected with the virus, the hackers can then obtain complete control
of your PC.
Now,
there are a couple things you should look out for when it comes to this
particular scam. First, the hackers usually try to send this e-mail
out right around the time when a monthly update is scheduled to arrive.
And in case you haven't noticed, we are now in a new month and the new
updates will be coming out next week sometime (right around October
9, 2007). So, keep your eyes out for any unusual e-mails within the
next week or so, because if it's going to happen, it will be soon. Also,
keep in mind that Microsoft will never send you an e-mail about their
updates. The updates will always show up in your taskbar and nowhere
else. Don't be fooled by a look alike Microsoft image. Like we always
say, just use some common sense when you're going through your e-mails.
If something looks suspicious, delete it and forget about it. If you
do that, you'll be just fine!
~ Erin
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