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Most of the pop ups are scams? "Scareware"

By
Real Estate Agent with Weichert Realtors Appleseed Group, 2043 Richmond Ave. S.I.N.Y. 10314. office phone 718-698-9797, Appleseedhomes.com -

Read this from the FBI  http://www.fbi.gov/  Don't be Scared by 'Scareware'

We've all seen them-pop-up messages telling you your computer is infected with a virus. To get rid of it, all you have to do is order the antivirus software being advertised.

Before you click, though, know this: few Internet security companies use ads to tell you about a virus on your computer. Most of these pop-ups are scams, and it's one of the fastest-growing types of Internet fraud today.

These scams have a name. They're called "scareware" because they try to frighten you into purchasing fake antivirus software with a seemingly genuine security warning. But if you do try to buy this program, it will either do nothing...or it could compromise your computer by installing malicious software onto your system. And in some instances, you don't even have to click on the pop-up box...the software downloads automatically.

Log on to the FBI site to read the full article.

I wonder how many of us are savvy enough to see this as a scam?

Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Kenneth.. Thanks for the heads up.  After my last scare, and a computer crash, I DON'T CLICK on anything that is skeptical.

Jul 10, 2010 01:06 AM
Kenneth Cole
Weichert Realtors Appleseed Group, 2043 Richmond Ave. S.I.N.Y. 10314. office phone 718-698-9797, Appleseedhomes.com... - Staten Island, NY
NYS Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Valerie:  check my last post on computer crashing.

Jul 10, 2010 01:14 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

A warning well worth heeding! I have my Norton and AVG...and Spybot...and none of these pop-ups tempt me - anymore!

Jul 10, 2010 01:54 AM
Bill Travis
Captain Bill Realty, LLC - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner

I've had those pop ups and would never click on them.

Jul 10, 2010 02:40 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

GREAT advice Kenneth and thanks for getting the word out!

Jul 10, 2010 03:55 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Kenneth!  Thanks for the heads-up! I don't generally click on anything and have heard that even clicking the X - box, will get you into trouble.  I wish folks would find something better to do with their time than to scam/scare/infect us!

Have a great week...

Jul 11, 2010 04:45 PM
Joshua Zargari
MJ Decorators Workshop LI staging and home decorating - Lynbrook, NY
MJ Decorators Workshop

Thank you Kenneth!

Jul 11, 2010 11:44 PM