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Porn, Viagra Ads Hawk Fake Security Software
David Utter
Staff Writer
2008-03-26
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A case in Washington state concerns a man using bogus security software to spam other computers via a Windows service.
 | | Porn, Viagra Ads Hawk Fake Security Software |  |
Ron Cooke has been accused of using the Windows Messenger Net Send service to stuff pop-up advertisements into computers. Prosecutors in Washington also allege he sold products like WinAntiVirus Pro 2007, System Doctor, Messenger Blocker and WinAntiSpyware as conduits for the problem.
As icing on the cake, his software caused machines to spam other machines via Net Send. This spamming pushed ads for Viagra and porn onto targeted machines every two seconds.
Security vendor Sophos said that the use of Net Send meant a computer did not even need to be browsing the Web to see these ads. "Just being connected to the net can be enough," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos.
Cooke's reputed scam would entice victims to purchase his security products to "fix" the problem. His isn't the first grift to try and accomplish this; it's a recurring con among online criminals.
Computer owners have multiple, legitimate options for security software. Pop-up ads on a computer touting a product aren't going to be ways a credible security vendor offers a product.
View All Articles by David Utter
About the Author:
David Utter is a business and technology writer for SecurityProNews and WebProNews.
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