Two days ago, normal internet surfing, got a bug. Managed to save some screenshots.
On Google, clicked an innocuous looking link: got this: then this: .
Disconnected from the 'net, deleted the sandbox, reconnected and all was OK. That same link did not go to "Windows Security" the next time. If Sandboxie hadn't fixed it I would have restarted and Powershadow would have.
I wonder, what is the fix for this if one doesn't have Sandboxie or something like it running? A friend got it on a laptop and we just disconnected, deleted the temporary internet files, and all was OK. Another friend got it and couldn't get rid of it, had to seek help. Have no idea what the difference was.
IMHO, common sense is overrated as a protective measure. Virtualize. !!
Scareware, they tell you you have x number of virus/trojans and then you are asked to input you credit card details in order for the full removal to take place.
How you get rid of it (apart from posting in our spyware hell area of the forum of course) depends on which flavour of scareware it is, there are loads as can be seen from lists here. That is why it is best to get an trained spyware removers help, as sometimes the nasties do other things behind the scenes.
Make sure Java is update to date on your system. Older versions of Java are used to exploit these types of infections.
For years I thought I needed Java, often confusing it with Javascript. Then I followed the advice here and removed it from my system a few months back. Thus far, I have yet to miss it, although I'm sure it has valid uses for others.
Another old news solution, don't browse the web with Internet Explorer.
That wouldn't have happened with Firefox? New news to me...who knew?
...
For years I thought I needed Java ... Then ... removed it from my system a few months back. Thus far, I have yet to miss it, although I'm sure it has valid uses for others.
Next available opportunity, will remove java and just see what happens for a while.
I dumped Java, and only once in a blue moon I'll pass something on the web that won't run, but nothing I must absolutely see or have. I even have the Java Deployment Toolkit in FF disabled. No problems on my end.
That wouldn't have happened with Firefox? New news to me...who knew?
Years ago when I used to have Java installed it was only to use Trend Micro's HouseCall online free virus scan and nothing else, the rest of the time it was on purpose disabled to avoid exploits.
I don't know about it so much being used for PC games as I've never played a java-based game before. However there's still developers that make their software using it for cross-platform compatibility.
I didn't like Java from the first time I used it since some of the applications I used back in the day were resource hogs that had nothing but memory leaks.