Sophos and Symantec issue Scareware warnings

Security firm Symantec has warned travelers using public internet-access terminals to be aware of possible Scareware attacks.

One of its software engineers noticed that a terminal in an unnamed UK airport was infected with “Defense Center Installer” which issues a false warning that a user is infected with a virus and asks them to buy fake software to remove the infection.

This software will then block legitimate security programmes and could install TDSS rootkits.

Sophos has also issued a Scareware warning, after discovering a fake anti-virus attack circulating globally via email.

The email contains an HTML attachment which takes the user to a website where messages will falsely claim that there is a virus on the PC.

A gullible user could then be persuaded to buy dangerous software and reveal their credit card details at the same time.