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08 February 2010

A simple click on an apparently �clean� link related to the competition can unleash a malware

BitDefender�, an award-winning provider of innovative anti-malware security solutions, today that cybercriminals continue to rely on their victims� curiosity in order to trick them into compromising their data. The Super Bowl 2010 scheme employs a simple and classic malware spreading mechanism: when the user clicks the link to an apparently legitimate Website displayed in the search results page, the browser is automatically redirected to a Webpage that infects the computer with a fake antivirus.

The behavior of the malicious program starring in this case is comparable to that of other rogue antivirus: when the user is redirected to the malware distribution Webpage, the browser window automatically minimizes and a warning message is simultaneously displayed. This message notifies the user about several alleged computer infections and it points out the necessity of installing a security solution.

By clicking either the OK or the Cancel buttons of the various pop-up windows appearing on the screen, the user activates a false demonstration that unfolds in the restored browser window. This demonstration imitates an on-going scanning process that detects oodles of malware in the system, while other fake pop-up windows attempt to trick the user into downloading the malicious program posing as the antivirus.

With each so-called scan, more and more notices of false detections place the user under the pressure of registering the rogue antivirus. Once installed, it modifies or irremediably damages the content of several system files and it conveys numerous pop-ups on fraudulent system problems and nonexistent infections, while also persistently asking the user to buy or renew a license.

To protect and avoid compromising your system and data, BitDefender recommends following the five security tips below:

� Install and activate a reliable antimalware, firewall solution and spam filter
� Update your antimalware, firewall and spam filter as frequently as possible, with the latest virus definitions and suspicious application/file signatures
� Scan your system frequently
� Regularly download and install the latest security updates and malicious removal tools as well as other patches or fixes released by your operating system provider
� Do not download or save files from sources you don't know; run a complete antimalware scan before opening or copying any file to your system, even if the file comes from a trusted source

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