"Automatic" virus detector

Grannyalice · Grannyalice #1 (**permalink**)

05-19-2010, 05:24 PM

As I was attempting to find out about a current event, the screen evaporated showing my screen-saver, stating that my computer was in danger and needed to be checked for viruses. The normal 3 options including escape were not available only leaving the option to click "ok". I tried to get rid of it but finally clicked ok and it alleged that I had viruses all over my operating system. I tried to shut down and it overrode Firefox, directing me to the Apple sign itself, which allowed a shutdown, but when I tried to go back to the same site, it happened again. I shut down the system and rebooted.

Question: is there any such thing as an "automatic" virus checker or was this some sort of sophisticated (to me at least) attempt to look official to try to sell a non-tech on a new app?

clayneal · clayneal #2 (**permalink**)

05-19-2010, 05:41 PM

Hello and welcome to Mac-Forums ,

Think SCAM and you will be right !

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #3 (**permalink**)

05-19-2010, 05:57 PM

G'day and welcome to the forums.

No there are no such things and as clayneal says this is an attempt to scam you into buying Windows AV. Go into your browser preferences and empty the cache and clear cookies. The site is either questionable or has been hacked.

There are no virii for Mac OS X and safe browsing practices defeat the one or two trojans you can pick up from (hesitate to say it grannyalice) porn sites, pirate sites and do not agree to downloading any codec to assist with video or other viewing.

Grannyalice · Grannyalice #4 (**permalink**)

05-19-2010, 06:46 PM

Ha Ha. Thanks for the responses. (I hesitate to clean out my cookies because then BOA doesn't recognize me and I have to re- remember my password.)

osxx · osxx #5 (**permalink**)

05-19-2010, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grannyalice

Ha Ha. Thanks for the responses. (I hesitate to clean out my cookies because then BOA doesn't recognize me and I have to re- remember my password.)

You could select all but the ones you need a password to.

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #6 (**permalink**)

05-19-2010, 08:05 PM

And grannyalice, as another old timer do what I do ~ get an indexed notebook and record all those passwords. Pretty tough to rely on the oldwhatsit called? Ahh yes..memory! And let grandpa worry about those virus thingos as he uses his PC! Won't be long and you will be outstripping him! Seriously suggest he download Microsoft Security Essentials.

clayneal #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 27, 2009 Location: Lincoln Nebraska Posts: 2,146 Mac Specs: late 08 macbook 2.0 4gig 320hdd10.7.3 32 gig iPhone 4s	05-19-2010, 05:41 PM Hello and welcome to Mac-Forums , Think SCAM and you will be right ! MY ADVICE COMES WITH A DOUBLE YOUR MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!
	QUOTE Thanks

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Grannyalice #1 (permalink)
Member Since: May 19, 2010 Posts: 8 Mac Specs: Mac OS X, 10.5.8, 2.66GHz, 4 GB	05-19-2010, 05:24 PM As I was attempting to find out about a current event, the screen evaporated showing my screen-saver, stating that my computer was in danger and needed to be checked for viruses. The normal 3 options including escape were not available only leaving the option to click "ok". I tried to get rid of it but finally clicked ok and it alleged that I had viruses all over my operating system. I tried to shut down and it overrode Firefox, directing me to the Apple sign itself, which allowed a shutdown, but when I tried to go back to the same site, it happened again. I shut down the system and rebooted. Question: is there any such thing as an "automatic" virus checker or was this some sort of sophisticated (to me at least) attempt to look official to try to sell a non-tech on a new app?
	QUOTE Thanks

Grannyalice #4 (permalink)
Member Since: May 19, 2010 Posts: 8 Mac Specs: Mac OS X, 10.5.8, 2.66GHz, 4 GB	05-19-2010, 06:46 PM Ha Ha. Thanks for the responses. (I hesitate to clean out my cookies because then BOA doesn't recognize me and I have to re- remember my password.)
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,055 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	05-19-2010, 08:05 PM And grannyalice, as another old timer do what I do ~ get an indexed notebook and record all those passwords. Pretty tough to rely on the oldwhatsit called? Ahh yes..memory! And let grandpa worry about those virus thingos as he uses his PC! Won't be long and you will be outstripping him! Seriously suggest he download Microsoft Security Essentials.
	QUOTE Thanks

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