Virus Warning

Several times recently while surfing the internet, I would get this fake "YOU'VE BEEN INFECTED WITH A VIRUS" warning. I wouldn't click on the "OK", but would "x" out instead. The warning would keep coming back until I finally would get out of the internet completely. I would then delete all my cookies and temporary internet files. Don't know if that does anything, but I just feel like I should do it.

Yesterday at work we got the following e-mail from Digitech Solutions, the company that administers our system. I don't really know if it's related to my experiences, but I feel compelled to share it with you.

Aloha Everyone,

Normally Digitech will not send out a system wide email to inform customers of viruses or other non-email related issues. However, because of the overwhelming service calls regarding a new virus/rogue software, we feel it necessary to let everyone know how dangerous this new virus and program is. The new virus/program is called Antivirus live.This program will infect your computer through Yahoo Mail, Hotmail, friendster, facebook, myspace and any other website with open advertising systems. This virus is infecting computers through scare tactics.

More than likely you will see a warning saying your computer is infected. When you click to close the warning, you are actually clicking to install the virus. When you see the warning, hold the alt key and then click the F4 key (on PC). This will terminate the fake virus warning. Warning: this will close any open program running in the forward Window. So save everything you were working on first.

We cannot stress enough about the seriousness of this virus. It disables ALL programs and downloads additional viruses. If you get infected, please unplug the network connection to the computer and immediately call us or any other respected computer repair company. Because of it's disabling affect we are unable to repair computers infected with Antivirus Live remotely.

If you are at a business we strongly recommend you avoid websites with potentially dangerous advertising. Using Firefox, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer will NOT protect you from this new virus. Additionally MOST antivirus programs are not stopping this virus because of the way it's infecting the computers.

We have had approximately 30 phone calls yesterday and have 10 computers in house with the same virus. That tells us this virus is very effective at fooling the average user. Use caution in the next few days. Make sure your antivirus is up to date and Windows Updates are installed. This will help you avoid this virus.