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Google Warning Virus Victims

Search-hijacking malware hits 2M computers

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 22, 2011 1:21 AM CDT | Updated Jul 22, 2011 4:33 AM CDT

(Newser) – Google has gone on the offensive, warning users against malware that hijacks searches. Internet surfers hit with the virus find a yellow warning at the top of their Google search results telling them that their computer appears to be infected, the BBC reports. They're then directed to fake anti-virus software programs that burrow into systems if they're downloaded.

"The malware appears to have gotten onto users' computers from one of roughly a hundred variants of fake anti-virus software that has been in circulation for a while," said a company spokesman. Google is placing a warning at the top of search results viewed by people believed to be targets of the virus. The warning links to advice on how to update computer security systems and ward off attacks. Google has already warned hundreds of thousands of users, and suspects the virus has hit some 2 million computers.

The malware causes computers to send traffic to Google through proxy servers, Google says.
The malware causes computers to send traffic to Google through proxy servers, Google says.   (Google)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
elider
Jul 29, 2011 8:48 AM CDT
I've had the same problem, I had landed on a website that basically save my life, www.VirusGoogle.com
GuangdongJoe
Jul 23, 2011 5:02 AM CDT
I'd like to see computer hackers punished with a bulletin the back of the head. They don't deserve it? They cost governments,people and businesses billions of dollars every year, endanger national security and ruin countless lives. Start with that  Wikileaks guy. One of these days, one moron will do something to the transportation system computers, like air traffic control,  that will kill a lot of people. They think it is a funny little game to hurt innocent people for no reason. Execute them and others will learn a lesson.
charlie_smith
Jul 22, 2011 10:59 AM CDT
Hello Let say no to drugs. If some one can hel we the people of Hawaii want the Hawaii mafia or drug cartel stop any one with information please share wit fed . they been give me to much trouble for the past few years help please
 

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