Seems like any time you search for Facebook these days one of the top results sends you to a fake anti-malware website trying to trick you to install actual malware. I suspect it looks pretty convincing to those people using Windows PCs. However, I'm running Ubuntu 9.04 on all of my computers rather than Windows. Ubuntu is a full UNIX-like operating system similar to MacOS X but based on Linux instead of Steve Jobs ego. So these things just look ridiculous to me. My computers look absolutely nothing like a Windows desktop.

Fake Warning
Oh dear, my system must be filled with viruses! NO! Oh, wait, right, maybe they are lying to me.

Fake My Computer Screen
So, the first thing it does is show you something that looks like the Windows My Computer screen. This sticks out like a sore thumb on a non-Windows computer, as you can see. It has information (IP address, your city, etc) plastered about that claims to be personal information. Well, there's nothing personal about the info its showing. It doesn't even bother to try to show you a real view of your own computer. It just makes everything up. Close enough to scare most people, I guess.

Fake Infection Detection
Oh my goodness, it says my computer remains infected despite their best efforts. I had better let them heal my computer. Benny Hinn would be proud. Now, where did I put my electrified microphone and rubber floor mat...

Fake Virus List
Wow, look at all of those things that Windows security detected. Wait, Windows security? On a UNIX system? Umm. I must have let those mushrooms sit in the fridge a little too long. I'm starting to see things.

The Real Threat
Oh, now lookee here. It wants me to run this handy "removal" tool. How very nice of it. My system is offering to run it with Wine, a Windows program loader for UNIX systems.

Moral
Don't run programs that you didn't ask for. Don't believe what everyone tells you. Doubly so on the web.

Labels: general, linux, malware, windows