Malware Close Encounters - Close Pop-ups using Task Manager to safely exit
Posted
Friday, August 22, 2008 9:46 PM
by
hwaldron
The AntiVirus 2009 attacks are particularly troublesome as they can download and install silently on a PC by just visiting a website. However, the payload still requires a mouse click when the Antivirus pop-up suddenly appears stating the user has an infection. These are very advanced malware attacks to prevent, detect, and clean so avoidance is your best defense.
In fact, this clever social engineering attack may simulate past experiences where the legitimate Anti Virus product has found a virus and presented it to the user. Users who are not technically inclined may even think this is their own Anti Virus system warning them.
When a malware pop-up appears of any type, your PC is in trouble at that point. Sometimes however you can avoid more extensive damage by exiting out and getting immediate help in cleaning. If you can safely exit out of these types of pop-up windows your system for silent downloaders, sometimes your PC may not become infected.
Avoid any clicking or pressing the enter key, as "NO" or "CANCEL" may be secretly programmed to be a "YES". Malware writers won't have the best ethical conduct and they want to use any mouse click available to let the attack enter into the Windows environment (even a "NO" or "EXIT"). Instead use this approach:
USE TASK MANAGER TO SAFELY EXIT MALWARE ATTACKS
1. The easiest way to launch task manager in Windows is to press: Ctrl+Shift+Esc
2. Press the applications TAB (if it's not already positioned there)
3. Select the pop-up TASK
4. Press End Task button at bottom to close it
5. Then seek technical help on cleaning ... If you're not experienced, my #1 tip is to have a friend or relative help you so that you do this safely and minimize losses to your PC.
Additional resources can be found from these experts below:
How to Safely Close a Pop-Up Window In Your Browser
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=32872
Don't Close That Pop-Up Window! - Clicking "No" May Mean "Yes"
http://netsecurity.about.com/od/popupsandspyware/qt/aaclosepopup.htm?nl=1
How to invoke Task Manager
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Task_Manager
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/323527