If the title of this post does not scare you, then the threat that this post deals with should .... here's the low-down.
WHO is effected?
This effects everyone - PC, Mac, Unix/Linux .... anyone who has Adobe Flash Player installed (which is used to display the vast majority of online interactive and multimedia content including youtube, facebook and lots more)
HOW does this effect me?
The threat downloads software to your machine (via onscreen and pop-up advertising) that takes control of your computer and commits "click-fraud".
As a result, your machine is also opened to hackers, generates LOTS of advertising popups and becomes extremely slow and unresponsive. It also means your internet allowance is rapidly used up.
WHAT is "click-fraud"?
Click-Fraud is the practice of repeatedly clicking on an advertisement hosted on a website with the intention of generating revenue for the host website or draining revenue from the advertiser.
WHEN should I act?
You should act now. This threat is growing rapidly, and has been detected on some of the top 500 most trafficked websites.
HOW DO I PREVENT AND/OR REMOVE THIS THREAT
To check for and remove the threat, download, install and run the latest version of Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit (which is free).
To prevent the threat, you should ensure that the very latest version of Adobe Flash Player (which has been patched against this threat) is installed. For Windows 7 and other operating systems, go to Adobe.com for the latest update. For Windows 8 and higher, go to Microsoft Update to get the latest version as this is now built into the operating system.
You should always ensure that a current anti-virus such as Avast or AVG is installed and up-to-date. Make sure that you keep your Microsoft programs up-to-date with the latest patches and security updates from the MS Update service.
Jason McNair
If the title of this post does not scare you, then the threat that this post deals with should .... here's the low-down.
WHO is effected?
This effects everyone - PC, Mac, Unix/Linux .... anyone who has Adobe Flash Player installed (which is used to display the vast majority of online interactive and multimedia content including youtube, facebook and lots more)
HOW does this effect me?
The threat downloads software to your machine (via onscreen and pop-up advertising) that takes control of your computer and commits "click-fraud".
As a result, your machine is also opened to hackers, generates LOTS of advertising popups and becomes extremely slow and unresponsive. It also means your internet allowance is rapidly used up.
WHAT is "click-fraud"?
Click-Fraud is the practice of repeatedly clicking on an advertisement hosted on a website with the intention of generating revenue for the host website or draining revenue from the advertiser.
WHEN should I act?
You should act now. This threat is growing rapidly, and has been detected on some of the top 500 most trafficked websites.
HOW DO I PREVENT AND/OR REMOVE THIS THREAT
You should always ensure that a current anti-virus such as Avast or AVG is installed and up-to-date. Make sure that you keep your Microsoft programs up-to-date with the latest patches and security updates from the MS Update service.