I am now suffering from a malicious spyware called Internet Protection. It was installed into my laptop without my approval and could not be removed. It keeps popping up at frequent interval, asking to be activated at a hefty fee.
This is clearly a attempt to cheat consumers. I am now taking steps to remove this spyware, but it is quite difficult.
I wonder if there is any law in Singapore that will declare this type of activity to be illegal. Clearly, it is a person who intrudes into any person's domain (i.e laptop) without permission, with the intent to cheat. Furthermore, it is causing a big nuisance by making it difficult to be removed. If this is illegal, there must be a place that such criminal activity should be reported and an attempt by the authority to stop it.
I know that it is difficult to trace the identity of the intruder, but this is a separate matter. I read that in some countries, the authority will try to stop it within their powers. For example, they could mount a counter attack against the source of this illegal activity.
Tan Kin Lian
If the authority wishes to take action, it is possible to do so.
ReplyDeleteThis malware expects the user to make a payment through the credit card. It is possible to trace the party at the other end who receives the fund.
This party may be in another country. This is where the authorities in the different countries can cooperate. Also, Interpol can be asked to step in.
But, if the authority said that this is not their business, the malicious and criminal activities can continue unabated.
I do encountered this problem previously.
ReplyDeleteWhat I did was to input a fake credit card details. The malware was unable to check the validity of the credit card details though.
It's getting more frequent for the laptop users. I was cheated once by making a payment of US$79.95 to a spyware company called 'PC Bug Repair' in order to unblock it. The constant message appears in my laptop screen is not only irritating but also ended up an inability to update some of installed softwares and forcing me to close the operation of laptop.
ReplyDeleteMy complaint to my credit card company is so far in vain. A call to 'PC Bug Repair' which cheated me this amount was answered by a company stationed in Germany. Their excuses are in no value for me.
I am angry but to spend another S$80.00 to get someone to remove this threat - termed as A Virus Attack.
Can someone good in IT share their experience and the possible solution?
It will be a good move for the authority in Singapore to act on behalf of the complainant and to contact the party that it is illegal to have this type of practice in Singapore.
ReplyDeleteThe party (who is behind this fraud) will think twice about continuing with the illegal activity.
Citizens, who are victims of this type of fraud, do not have the power (authority) and resources to tell the relevant party. That is why we have a government to act against this type of malpractices.
These developers for such malware are usually outside Singapore.
ReplyDeleteCredit card company will not bother about such complaint.
I think it must be a global effort (including funds clearing institutions) to monitor such activities and ban these individuals, IPs and websites.
To input a fake credit card details may allow someone to unblock the threat temporarily. But the moment they realise that NO real payment is transacted through this fake input, the party initiated such criminal activity would again find way to reblock it.
ReplyDeleteMr. Tan is right to point out that the authority-concerned needs to provide assistance to resolve this white-collar crime. It is truly a case of 'Day-Light Robbery'.
I got hit with something similar a few days ago. Try to google "Internet protection removal".
ReplyDeleteThere are alot of step by step instructions on how to remove the malware.
I just close the interruption, and move on, bo bian.
ReplyDeleteThe internet is the devil in disguise, so just delete and close,
the email is the most dangerous trap, so i never open suspicious mails.
'Never Open Suspicious Mails' including all mails in Spam. It is obviously one effective way to minimise the 'devil attack'.
ReplyDeleteI think many of us are suffering in silence when we have to shut down the operation of our PCs/lagtops due to this illegal activity by the Syndicate - the Organised Crime (the ransom must be paid before your PC/lagtop can resume the normal operation).
I believe our Commercial Crime Department should look into the problems and take steps to investigate all the relevant complaints filed before they become rampant.