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http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Tec..._Firm_Symantec
43 Million Are Caught In Fake Anti-Virus Net
4:53pm UK, Monday October 19, 2009
Up to 43 million people could have given their bank details to cyber criminals after being duped by fake anti-virus software online, a web security firm has found.
Laptop
Pop-up adverts and fake websites dupe computer users into downloading software
Figures published by Symantec suggest 93% of the people scammed downloaded the rogue programs by choice after being tricked into believing it was legitimate.
The company estimate that some cyber criminals are earning more than £850,000 a year from the ruse.
Web users fall prey to the scam when they click on links, pop-ups or flashing adverts warning them their computer is infected.
The fake program then appears to run a virus check which tells the user their PC is infected and asks them to pay for it to be cleaned up.
But downloading the software can give criminals access to bank details and computer files.
Symantec found 250 rogue programs were downloaded 43 million times in the 12 months to July 2009.
Top Five Rogue Security Downloads
1.) SpywareGuard2008
2.) AntiVirus 2008
3.) AntiVirus 2009
4.) Spyware Secure
5.) XP AntiVirus
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