Look Out, There's A Flasher About.

[HansUrbancka]

A few days ago I up-dated Adobe Flash on my desktop computer. Consequently, it was Not a surprise when this morning I had a 'pop-up' on my laptop which indicated that I needed to up-date Flash.

However, despite my precautions of normally ignoring 'pop-ups' I clicked on and downloaded Flash, along with over two hundred Pups.(Potentially unwanted programmes.)

I wasn't easy cleaning up the mess because some of the pups were even resistant to Malwarebytes. Items such as Registry Cleaners and Computer Check-up programmes. However, I did eventually get things back to 'normal' ( if that is possible with computers), but only after doing a System Restore which was back to a few days ago.

Please feel free to laugh at my stupidity of ignoring the advice which I often give in AB.........."Make sure that you only Download programmes from their Official Sites".

Hans.

[VHG]

I have seen many "fake" windows asking me to update Adobe Flash.

Many of them look very much like the official window that comes up so I don't blame you for falling for the fake window.

To prepare for this sort of thing it is important to

a) Make sure you have an up to date "image" of your Windows software and other software on your computer so you can do a quick "restore" (there are plenty of programs around that can help you make in image)

b) Make sure you regularly back up all your personal files, so if your computer does ever crash then you wont lose any (or many) personal files.

[VHG]

One other thing.

I have noticed the "official" Update Flash window always comes up just after the machine has been switched on and windows has loaded.

If the Update Flash program comes up after the computer has been on for an hour, or when you visit a certain web site, then I would be suspicious.

Of course you could set the Update Flash options to update Flash automatically without asking you (you set this option easily).

Then if you do get a window asking you to update Flash you know it is probably a fake.