Free virus software search 'leads to Trojan'
25 September 2008
Computer users surfing the internet in search of free antivirus software are being exposed to a Trojan horse, disguised as a downloadable version of Norton AntiVirus 2008, it has been claimed.
Sophos experts claim messages appearing to be sent by search engines are exposing them to the malware product Troj/FakeAV-AD, reports Contractor UK.
Graham Cluley, a senior technology consultant at Sophos, suggests "free antivirus" must be one of the most common items computer users search for over the internet.
He adds: "There is a real problem with hackers using paid-for search engine adverts to bring traffic to their websites, 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 the innocent people who fall for the trick and end up with an infected computer."
In its September crop of Patch Tuesday updates, Microsoft remedied four software vulnerabilities classed as "critical".
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