New Windows, New Threats

[#1]

Email scammers are finding new opportunities with to trick unsuspecting victims into downloading malicious software with the recent release of Windows 10. Tech news sites are filled with stories about the new Microsoft operating system release, and many of our clients are excited to get it onto their computers. Some of our clients are reporting fake Microsoft emails from scammers that claim to have the entire Windows 10 upgrade attached.

Obviously, that attachment is not the full 3GB upgrade, which won’t fit in the standard inbox attachment limit. So what is that attachment? Malicious software, like a virus or spyware. If you get one of these emails, go ahead and delete it without clicking on that attachment. It won’t hurt to run a full system scan with your antivirus program, or even get a second opinion by running our free System Analyzer tool to confirm your system is clean.

What’s the safe way to install Windows 10? Visit the Microsoft Windows 10 Upgrade page for options that include using Windows Update or a direct digital download straight from Microsoft. And in the meantime, check out our Windows 10 Tech Tips page for advice on how to prepare your system before the upgrade, and get started with Windows 10 once it’s installed. Still need help? Geek Squad Agents are available to help 24/7 online and at our Precinct in yourlocal Best Buy store.

Another recent scam that our clients have encountered aremalicious website pop-ups designed to look like the Windows “Blue Screen of Death” (BSOD). The fake pop-up contains the white text on blue background typical of a BSOD error message, but contain scare tactic messages with contact information for fake tech support scammers. Other versions of this scam involve a malware program that infects your computer and takes over the screen with this fake BSOD message.