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E-Mail System Changes to @ComSouth & @cstel.net During the recent weeks we have seen an alarming number of machines with what is called "SmitFraud" or "SpyAxe" on them. This rate of calls is more than 2 per day in our little world. The symptoms are a program running that says your computer has a virus on it. The warnings look real however that is where the "Fraud" part comes in, the program is the problem and it wants your credit card number to remove the problems. To my surprise some of our customers have fallen for this. If your are one of these people check with your credit card people to make sure your information did not get compromised. These type of attacks having been know to happen because someone tried to download and run a video to new tactics that trick a user into installing something they think they need. Often times this happens to the person mis-typing a web site or gets an E-Mail link: EXAMPLE; wwwcnn.com rather than the correct www.cnn.com, all that is missing is the period. That's all it takes and your machine would need to be erased and windows reinstalled to fix the problem. For those who want to fix it themselves, there are some good tools in the download section and instructions on their web sites. Print those instructions when you download the application. There is more information as to how it happened in the spyware info section for those that want to research it. Reinstallation of Windows is often the answer. Our service rates for the repair or reinstall start at $90 and go to $120. This service is never done on site, the time required to remove these threats is just to great. I have more than once, spent 10 hours removing the problem, only to have it return the next day. More often than not a reinstall is the only way to ensure it's removal. Our service includes: copying as much of your data as possible and reinstalling applications. USB printers often to be installed on site so that service is not included. (most people have already installed their own printer in the first place) The question gets asked, "How do I prevent this in the future". There are many parts to this: First do all windows updates (not just recommended), don't let the computer baby sit a child (they may not understand the ramifications of downloading something that is not what they are expecting or the cost to repair the problems they cause), be careful as to what you type, or click on in an E-Mail. As you can see from the example of CNN's site (which has been corrected) it only takes one missed keystroke. Check on the "Spyware Info" section to the left for more information. Regards G² |
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