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spotting the scareware

Scareware is just another form of social engineering, trying to get you and me to install malware by the easiest route, the one between our eys and our fingertips without the brain detour.

Like this in my email this morning

From: File Error Notification <ancomb@edarelo.com>
Subject: New Update to fix Windows File Errors

File Error Notification - Instructions To fix File Errors in your Registry:

Your PC may be suffering from serious file errors in your WINDOWS registry which may be the reason why your PC is running so slow, or crashing and freezing from time to time. Also, these can lead to major system problems and possible memory leaks.

Below are instructions that will enable you to Increase Your Computer's Speed, Power, Stability and Reliability in just a few minutes.

Press below to launch the Diagnostics Test download for no cost at all:
LINK DELETED

Once again, there are NO OBLIGATIONS for this FREE OFFER that includes our FREE Software, FREE Analysis, FREE Report and 24 Hour Support !

If after completing the free Diagnostic Test it is brought to your attention that your computer's registry does contain file "errors", then it may be in your computer's best interest to fix the potentially harmful file errors in your registry.

Press below to launch the Diagnostics Test download now:
LINK DELETED

To not receive future offers/promotions from "Error Nuker" please press on
the below link:
LINK DELETED

Or send us a letter at:

6965 El Camino Real
Suite 105 - 698
La Costa, CA 92009

We never send unsolicited email. You are receiving
this promotion on behalf of one of our partners. If you feel that
you are receiving this email in error or are not interested in receiving
future offers please go to LINK DELETED
, or contact
us via regular mail at 6965 El Camino Real 105-698 La Costa, CA 92009. We are not
responsible for third party offers, services or products and makes no
representations or warranties regarding them.

I would never trust such an unsolicited email anyway, but just for the hell of it I Googled their address which turns out to be a real place. It actually claims to be the home of Creative Commons in LA. Nice touch.

Google also gave me links to any mentions of the address and several turn up on forums across the web. Many of them like this. Very strange email - Piriform Community Forums

Firewall Gold Message Center: You may need to update your Firewall security settings as soon as possible:

Press here to update your Firewall security settings or read below for more information:
LINK REMOVED

There is a high possibility that your PC's Firewall security settings may become exploited by malicious websites without your knowledge. This could easily lead to the following attacks on your PC's hard drive:

- Unwanted Virus Downloads
- Uncontrollable Trojan horse attacks
- The running of unwanted script programs
- The installation of malicious spyware

When you conisder how often we are reminded that you can't afford to just trust the stuff you find in the media, newspapers, radio, TV or on the Internet, the number of people who still click the link and install the baddies is still staggering.

Have you had any interesting scareware lately? Details (minus links please) into the comments.

Welcome back to Groupings blog. Now that you are a regular, please feel free to comment on any story that you feel comfortable with.

1 comment

1 . o O ( Error Nuker: Find and fix Windows registry problems Review: Scam or Serious? ) { 02.10.10 (5 weeks ago) at 12:05:51 }

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