Virus Removal Tool FBI Offers Online DNSChanger Malware Check
Virus Removal Tool - FBI Offers Online DNSChanger Malware Check Scams & Fraud
The site was created last November as part of FBI attempts to clean up damage created by a ring that was busted in Estonia. When you visit, the site does a and advises whether it's infected with this particular problem. (You should also, of course, always maintain in general.)
5 schemes and scams you may find hard to resist.
Here's how to protect yourself against extortion by fake DEA agents.
Know the warning signs of "malware," then act quickly to remove it.
— Receive access to exclusive information, benefits and discounts. The virus, called "DNSChanger," allegedly infected as many as 4 million computers () worldwide, including an estimated 570,000 in the United States, and netted at least $14 million. DNS stands for Domain Name System. It's the Internet's way of translating a human-readable "domain name" such as www.aarp.org into a numbers-only "IP address" that computers can understand. Here's how the virus worms its way into your computer: Normally, when you type in a name to access a site, you link to a DNS server that lists that site's IP address. If you've been hit by DNSChanger, instead of this happening, you will be directed to rogue DNS servers controlled by cyber thieves. The end effect is that when you type in the name of a well-known website, you are instead taken to a scam site that looks just like the site you are trying to access. The crooks made their millions by tricking unsuspecting users into making and by collecting commissions when visitors clicked on advertisements. "When users of infected computers clicked on the link for the official website of iTunes, for example, they were instead taken to a website for a business unaffiliated with Apple Inc.," the FBI says. "There was a level of complexity here that we haven't seen before." If you connect to the dcwg.org website, you'll be informed whether your computer is infected with DNSChanger. If the news is good, you'll see a green logo with the message: "DNS Resolution = Green. Your computer appears to be looking up IP addresses correctly!" Those words mean you don't need to do anything. But if you get a message with a red logo indicating your computer is infected, you'll be directed to a new page and websites that provide antivirus software that can remove the DNSChanger virus. So check by July 9, or your Internet surfing may be beached. Sid Kirchheimer is the author of Scam-Proof Your Life, published by AARP Books/Sterling. Also of interest:
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FBI Offers Online Virus Check
Thousands of computer users may be unable to get online this summer
With a quick visit to a , you can make sure your hasn't fallen victim to a particularly . The was shut down on July 9, but there is also about how to protect your computer from malware.The site was created last November as part of FBI attempts to clean up damage created by a ring that was busted in Estonia. When you visit, the site does a and advises whether it's infected with this particular problem. (You should also, of course, always maintain in general.)
Scams and Viruses
5 schemes and scams you may find hard to resist.
Here's how to protect yourself against extortion by fake DEA agents.
Know the warning signs of "malware," then act quickly to remove it.
— Receive access to exclusive information, benefits and discounts. The virus, called "DNSChanger," allegedly infected as many as 4 million computers () worldwide, including an estimated 570,000 in the United States, and netted at least $14 million. DNS stands for Domain Name System. It's the Internet's way of translating a human-readable "domain name" such as www.aarp.org into a numbers-only "IP address" that computers can understand. Here's how the virus worms its way into your computer: Normally, when you type in a name to access a site, you link to a DNS server that lists that site's IP address. If you've been hit by DNSChanger, instead of this happening, you will be directed to rogue DNS servers controlled by cyber thieves. The end effect is that when you type in the name of a well-known website, you are instead taken to a scam site that looks just like the site you are trying to access. The crooks made their millions by tricking unsuspecting users into making and by collecting commissions when visitors clicked on advertisements. "When users of infected computers clicked on the link for the official website of iTunes, for example, they were instead taken to a website for a business unaffiliated with Apple Inc.," the FBI says. "There was a level of complexity here that we haven't seen before." If you connect to the dcwg.org website, you'll be informed whether your computer is infected with DNSChanger. If the news is good, you'll see a green logo with the message: "DNS Resolution = Green. Your computer appears to be looking up IP addresses correctly!" Those words mean you don't need to do anything. But if you get a message with a red logo indicating your computer is infected, you'll be directed to a new page and websites that provide antivirus software that can remove the DNSChanger virus. So check by July 9, or your Internet surfing may be beached. Sid Kirchheimer is the author of Scam-Proof Your Life, published by AARP Books/Sterling. Also of interest:
Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures