IT security and control firm Sophos has warned Internet users of downloading fake anti-virus products, following the discovery of a malicious Trojan horse that is posing as a free copy of Norton AntiVirus 2008. Google adverts are being presented to Internet users who search for "free anti-virus", leading them to a professional-looking Web site that claims to offer an anti-virus product for download.
The Web site attempts to lure visiting computer users into installing a Trojan horse, Troj/FakeAV-AD, which will then present fake security alerts and urge users to purchase a "full version" of the software.
"After pornography, 'free anti-virus' appears to be one of the most popular things that people search for on the Internet. But dangerous adverts like this can make a poor security choice all too easy," says Brett Myroff, CEO of regional Sophos distributor, Sophos South Africa.
"There is a real problem with hackers using paid-for search engine adverts to bring traffic to their Web sites, with the ultimate aim of conning people out of money. Symantec, the makers of Norton AntiVirus, are unlikely to be amused by this abuse of their brand name - but that will be little comfort for innocent people who end up with an infected computer," he adds.
A video demonstrating the security issue, "Fake anti-virus software poses as Norton AntiVirus 08", is available for media and bloggers to link to or embed on their own websites.
High-res version of video: http://www.viddler.com/explore/SophosLabs/videos/22/
Lower-res version of video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYyx_UoaZ7E
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NetXactics, trading as Sophos South Africa, is a South African-based company focused on the provision of security solutions. It is the Master Distributor for UK-based Sophos Plc, one of the leaders in the provision of network access control and endpoint, e-mail and Web security and control solutions for the corporate environment. For more information, visit Sophos South Africa at www.sophos.co.za.
Sophos
Sophos enables enterprises worldwide to secure and control their IT infrastructure. Our network access control, endpoint, Web and e-mail solutions simplify security to provide integrated defenses against malware, spyware, intrusions, unwanted applications, spam, policy abuse, data leakage and compliance drift. With over 20 years of experience, we protect over 100 million users in nearly 150 countries with our reliably engineered security solutions and services. Recognised for our high level of customer satisfaction, we have an enviable history of industry awards, reviews and certifications. Sophos is headquartered in Boston, MA and Oxford, UK.
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