Oregon DOJ Cautions of PC Scam

John Kroger Attorney General of Oregon (USA), on July 6, 2011, cautioned residents that over 12 complaints had arrived to the state authorities regarding scam artists who were attempting at acquiring remote control over the general public's computers. Registerguard.com reported this on July 7, 2011.

Reports Oregon's DOJ, the latest malicious spam campaign exploits people's fears regarding virus infection compromising their PCs as also their exasperation at ways of improving computer-safety.

The e-mail, according to Kroger, which the scammers are sending, claim that they're employed in a computer organization as also that there's an enormous danger about the recipient's PC getting contaminated with malware because of massive Internet usage.

Essentially, the scammers tell end-users that they can safeguard the latter's systems and make them follow every measure-of-defense against computer worms; however, while communicating all these, the fraudsters acquire control over the end-users' PCs.

Another medium through which the fraud operates is the telephone.

A particular end-user was preyed upon when an individual, who asserted he worked for Login4Speed an organization in New York, contacted him. However, when the officials dispatched a letter to the organization at its listed address, it came back citing delivery failure. Consequently, they feel the scam is from some foreign country.

Meanwhile according to security researchers, during 2010, Oregonians reportedly lost almost $2m because of e-mail frauds.

Recommended AG Kroger that incase anyone got an unsolicited phone call or e-mail asserting that his PC was in danger else required attention, that person must disconnect the line or erase the e-mail. Also, he mustn't follow web-links or view attachments sent within suspicious e-mails, Kroger advised. Democratherald.com reported this on July 9, 2011.

Kroger further suggested that pop-up ads, which usually introduced malware mustn't be trusted especially if they presented freebies, contests or surveys. Moreover, pop-up ads soliciting personal information should be strictly avoided, he continued.

Lastly he suggested that end-users must keep anti-virus software up-to-date as also regularly scan their PCs for malware.

Eventually, as per security specialists, incase anyone doubts there's malware on his PC, he must stop all Internet operations, which involve sensitive information like usernames, passwords etc.

Related article: Organizations Integrating IT Security into Business Agenda

» SPAMfighter News - 7/18/2011