Springfield Computer Guy

There is currently a pretty widespread attack going on by two variations of the old “your computer is infected with viruses” scam.

This scam consists of a program that will infect your computer and then harass you in an attempt to extort money from you. The program attacks your legitimate antivirus software and Windows itself, and makes your computer nearly unusable until it is dealt with.

It informs you that you are infected with numerous viruses, and that scanning with Personal Security (or Security Tool) is the answer that will fix the problems.

For a price, of course.

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This blog post was written as a follow-up to my post on the widely-advertised teeth-whitening scam.

The following techniques may not enable you to sniff out every possible kind of scam — you’d need a much more sensitive “scam-meter” to sniff out the typical investment fraud, for example — but in many cases, especially those similar to the one mentioned, these checks can be really useful.

And any legitimate business should pass the first four tests. If it passes all five, that’s even better.

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Scamming "white teeth" ads seem to be everywhere. Once they get your credit card info, they'll repeatedly charge you large amounts. Similar scams are based on work-at-home schemes, acai berry supplements, and other products.

If you do much web surfing, you’ve almost certainly seen the ads. They’re EVERYWHERE.

“Learn the trick, discovered by a mom, to turn yellow teeth white for under $5,” they say.

Get really white, beautiful teeth for less than $5? Now if you’re interested in improving your appearance (aren’t we all?), that sounds like a pretty good deal, doesn’t it?

Get ready to get scammed.

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