MSE
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 408
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From: glasgow
MSE
Has anyone come across this?
Entering Flyertalk this morning a box appeared headed Microsoft Security Essentials saying I had 3 viruses and inviting me to click to fix it.
I don't have MSE and an AVG and Windows Defender scan found nothing.
A bit disconcerting but is this another scam?
Entering Flyertalk this morning a box appeared headed Microsoft Security Essentials saying I had 3 viruses and inviting me to click to fix it.
I don't have MSE and an AVG and Windows Defender scan found nothing.
A bit disconcerting but is this another scam?
More bang for your buck
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,513
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From: land of the clanger
See below, read down the forum a bit to see the correct answer( ignore the first one)
I am receiving a MicroSoft Security Essentials alert that has isolated - Microsoft Answers
I am receiving a MicroSoft Security Essentials alert that has isolated - Microsoft Answers
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,173
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From: .
thats why using Firefox with AdBlock plus and No-Script makes a lot of sense - the infective scripts are blocked
Adding Spybot S&D and Spyware Blaster may also help, but the problem is that blocklists such as those can never be totally up to date
Adding Spybot S&D and Spyware Blaster may also help, but the problem is that blocklists such as those can never be totally up to date
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 21
From: YMML
renfrew, it doesn't so much bypass security measures as use social engineering to convince the user to install a program. That's the purpose of the bogus MSE message - click the message, download the program and agree to run it.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 408
Likes: 7
From: glasgow
Yes and I hastily closed down my pc as soon as the popup appeared.
But how does the popup get there in the first place?
The thread says it can come through any ad on a website.
I would have thought thet Microsoft would have the resources to go after someone using their name but it seems to have been around for several years.
But how does the popup get there in the first place?
The thread says it can come through any ad on a website.
I would have thought thet Microsoft would have the resources to go after someone using their name but it seems to have been around for several years.
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 21
From: YMML
Same as any other pop-up you get when visiting a website if you don't block them.
Ads are a very likely source as websites usually don't host the ads that appear on their site. They effectively rent out their ad space to a third party who supplies the ads. Think Google ads.
There might be another layer or two before you get to the actual server supplying the ad and if that server has been hacked you can get a dodgy ad served up to you through a reputable website.
It's not any one person/organisation that's doing this and they're rather hard to track down - they aren't sitting in London or New York using their own Internet connection.
Ads are a very likely source as websites usually don't host the ads that appear on their site. They effectively rent out their ad space to a third party who supplies the ads. Think Google ads.
There might be another layer or two before you get to the actual server supplying the ad and if that server has been hacked you can get a dodgy ad served up to you through a reputable website.
It's not any one person/organisation that's doing this and they're rather hard to track down - they aren't sitting in London or New York using their own Internet connection.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,663
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From: Earth
I would have thought thet Microsoft would have the resources to go after someone using their name but it seems to have been around for several years.
However there are two issues :
(1) Its a cat and mouse game. It is not particularly difficult for new offenders to startup operations. If Microsoft chased after everyone it would be like a dog chasing its own tail, hence they have no choice but to prioritise. They've got a strong brand with a large install base and hence make an attractive target for all sorts of mischievous activities.
(2) Much of their effort relies on collaboration with various aspects of the legal system in order to trace the offenders. The problem is that certain jurisdictions (predominantly in the Far East) have a tendency to turn a bit of a blind eye to electronic offenses, or at least are not a particularly helpful collaboration partner.
there are now numerous complaints on Flyertalk about this
(e.g. there was a 10 page rant thread on there the other day about the First class BA lounge being "too busy")
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,173
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From: .
Its simple
As long as
1) people don't learn to protect themselves on the internet by using appropriate safety tools, and by practicing safe browsing
and
2) people expect internet content to be FREE, so requiring adverts to pay for the content
then we will never be free of this kind of thing
If you use software which protects you from adverts, popups and scripts you'll be safe. If you don't, you won't
As long as
1) people don't learn to protect themselves on the internet by using appropriate safety tools, and by practicing safe browsing
and
2) people expect internet content to be FREE, so requiring adverts to pay for the content
then we will never be free of this kind of thing
If you use software which protects you from adverts, popups and scripts you'll be safe. If you don't, you won't
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 408
Likes: 7
From: glasgow
Internet Brands which owns Flyertalk(and PPRune?)still can't trace where this is coming from after 10days.
It apparently involves an IE vulnerability so Chrome is safe to use.
To someone like me with no computer savvy it seems very poor that a major site cannot keep things safe.
It apparently involves an IE vulnerability so Chrome is safe to use.
To someone like me with no computer savvy it seems very poor that a major site cannot keep things safe.
