This particular program appears to be designed to convince people to purchase fake antivirus software -– and will likely display messages, at random intervals, with information about more fake problems and demandsįor money. What it actually did was install a so-called Trojan horse that’sĪ classic example of rogue antivirus software, also known as “scareware,” a growing menace on the Internet. If you did click to “scan” your machine for problems, the program will tell you that it supposedly detected 38 threats. In the list of running processes and shut it down - or even reboot your machine.

If you see a box but find you can’t close it on a Windows machine, hit Ctrl+Alt+Delete to bring up the Task Manager, find the browser You should also run a scan with legitimate antivirus software just in case. (Instructions on clearing the cache in several types and versions of browsers can be found here.)

If you closed this box, you should be O.K., though it’s a good idea to empty your browser cache - which stores temporary copies of many of the files used by your browser to render Web sites and, thus,Ĭan store malicious content. “Personal Antivirus” program - a convincing-looking ruse, but a complete fake - to clean out the infection. It urged the user to run a system scan with its Has eliminated these ads, but if they popped up on your screen, here’s what you need to know about your computer’s security.Īccording to Rik Ferguson of the security-software maker Trend Micro, a malicious ad sparked a pop-up window with a bogus claim that the PC was infected with malware. The ads then promote “antivirus” software that is itself virus-like. The ads, which are not authorized or endorsedīy The Times, can hijack a person’s browser and make it appear as if a scan for viruses is running. Some nasty ads have hit the Web browsers of visitors to and some other sites in recent days. We have published an article with more detail on how these ads appeared on. Adding more information on antivirus applications that can help fix or avoid malware. Adding additional information and instructions on what to do if your computer was affected. Adding explanation from the Times Company at the end. Adding some responses to reader comments at the end.

A screen shot of the pop-up window that appears as if it is scanning for viruses.

Mac ads cleaner keeps popping up