This is a new one. To me anyway.

[Loose rivets]

This popped up as a Skype window. It showed the blank face as 'System Scan'

It's convincing inasmuch that it's built into Skype in a very professional way, but then I've seen some real dandy scams.

What think you?




WINDOWS REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
=============================

ATTENTION ! Security Center has detected
malware on your computer !

Affected Software:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows Win98
Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution / Virus Infection /
Unexpected shutdowns

Recommendation: Users running vulnerable version should install a repair
utility immediately

Your system IS affected, download the patch from the address below !
Failure to do so may result in severe computer malfunction.

http www .alertmonitor.org / ? q = updatescan

Edited by Saab Dastard to disable the link

[Bushfiva]

It's spam. Don't follow the link. If you do, it does a fake scan of your computer.

[Devlin Carnet]

Do people still believe Pop-ups.

[HuntandFish]

There are many similar messages a common one referes to a corrupt registry .
However getting rid of them can be very timeconsuming !

[Avtrician]

Under no circumstances click on the link, it may do a scan, but it will probably want to install its own software. This will morethan likely introduce lots of problems.

[Loose rivets]

Do people still believe Pop-ups.

Well, not in pop-ups per se, but when they ensconce themselves into the main skype interface, then I wondered who sent it.

I didn't wonder enough to open it though

[Saab Dastard]

I do advise everyone to operate an account at a User level, rather than Power User or Admin level to avoid inadvertently allowing any unwanted software installation.

SD

[Parapunter]

I have to say that is a great bit of advice. Getting rid of a borked profile is far preferable to an all day rebuild because you've downloaded a machine killer.

[Tarq57]

Running Firefox with Noscript...page displayed but was prevented from loading anything. Looks like a variant of any number of trojan-based rogue antispywares available. Usually specialist cleaning is needed.
For anyone that has problems after clicking on the link, I recommend Superantispyware (like AdAware, but much better).
Could the OP please edit the link so that it displays but doesn't work. (hxxp://...is a good trick.)

[Saab Dastard]

Could the OP please edit the link so that it displays but doesn't work.

Good idea, Tarq57 - I've taken the liberty of doing so on LR's behalf.

SD

[Lazy Gun]

I got something similar recently. I was searching for some antispy software for a friend of mine and came accross a site (can't remember the linky) stating that my windows was infected with all manner of things. It urged me to click a link to scan my PC and free it of these terrible nasties. Out of curiosity I did. Moments later the site informed me that many of my windows system files were infected and helpfully gave me a list of the offending entries. This was interesting since I am running linux and don't have any of those files! So I guess the fable is be careful what you click- a lot of the time it's a scam as pointed out!