Scam Watch: What Is The 3wPlayer Scam / Virus ?

3wPlayer – is a rogue media player software application bundled with trojans that can infect computers running Microsoft Windows. It is designed to exploit users who download video files, instructing them to download and install the program in order to view the video. The 3wPlayer employs a form of social engineering to infect computers. Seemingly desirable video files, such as recent movies, are released via BitTorrent or other distribution channels. These files resemble conventional AVI files, but are engineered to display a message when played on most media player programs, instructing the user to visit the 3wPlayer website and download the software to view the video.

The 3wPlayer is infected with Trojan.Win32.Obfuscated.en According to Symantec, 3wPlayer “may download” a piece of adware they refer to as Adware.Lop, which “adds its own toolbar and search button to Internet Explorer”.

A Perl script posted online can reportedly decrypt 3wplayer files back into AVI. This claim has been tested with mixed results, as the intended AVI file is rarely the desired video file.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3wPlayer 

Scam Watch: Is Hotmail / MSN Really Going To Delete My Account. If I Don’t Reply To This E-mail ?

Dear Readers,

I just received a bunch of people asking me this question about the Hotmail scam/hijacking attempt (That is going around) So here is yet another Scam Watch.

Q: Is Hotmail/MSN Really Going To Delete My Account. If I Don’t Reply To This E-mail ?

A: No, Hotmail/MSN will not delete your account. Unless you are found to be doing something that are illegal. But even that is a very slim chance, because a lot of scams are being done in some part threw Hotmail. Then again Hotmail/MSN would probably just suspend your account. Which I have seen plenty of times and they say that. When you try to log-in there will be ether a certain number of days says “30 day suspension” or a harsh “Life Ban”. (ie. Your account has been deleted)

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Till The Next Scam Watch Feature,

Remy “Se7en”

Scam Watch: 6 Ways To Safeguard Your PC Online -SUPER Noob Edition-

RR 4.0

Here are some precautions you SUPER Noobs can take to keep your PC safe from the many online hazards out there. Such as viruses, spyware, adware and trojan’s:

1. Install an up to date Anti-Virus software on your PC. It can be the free version such as AVG, AVIRA  or AVAST. But make sure the version you download is current. Often the anti-virus will have the year somewhere in the title. So look for say AVG Free Anti-Virus 2012 (Not 2011 or earlier)

2. Be suspicious of any e-mail attachments. That you receive from unknown sources. E-mail is the main source of viruses, spyware, and trojans.

3. Be suspicious of downloads and short links sent to you via chat applications (such as Windows Live Messenger or Skype).

4. Scan all files and downloads for viruses before running them.

5.  Be picky about where you download files from on the Internet. Many virus and trojan writers use free software such as P2P programs to disguise malicious applications.(For instance utorrent is way safer then say Frostwire or other database heavy P2P programs. There are not many left out there, but be very weary of them.

6. Make sure that your PC has all the latest Windows patches and updates installed (For Windows users, run “Windows Update” at least 4 times a month -This is just a precaution your Windows Vista and Windows 7 should have no issues. Provided you did not change the setting yourself.-

6A. If you are running Windows XP. It is highly recommended you don’t allow Windows to update and install updates to your computer automatically. There have been a few very major security issues in the last few years that have caused many users to turn off automatic updates.

So even thou it takes a lot more time to do it manually. It is well worth the time so you know the update is a legit Windows update. By this I mean what patches are being installed and so useless crap that you don’t want to be installed. Won’t be.

I highly recommend actually reading the short description before installing the update. Just to be on ht safe side. Some updates may hit you as really odd or are unrelated to what programs you have installed on your PC.

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DISCLAIMER: Your overall online safety will dramatically vary based on your Internet footstep. The security programs you have installed and the risks you take online. So again this means all you SUPER P2P FILE SHARING JUNKIES and RANDOM LINK CLICKERS out there. Will have a much higher risk of PC virus infection and in turn the possible need to re-format your PC (Due to said virus).

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Till The Next Feature,

Danny

How To: Keep Your Windows Live Messenger Free From Hacker And Bots

RR 4.0

Hello everyone and welcome to my new first “How To”. So anyways I have plenty to talk about. So lets get started, in this feature we are gonna talk about an issue that has been plaguing me over the last few weeks. I have been getting a ton of Hotmail friend invitations to join my friends list. All of which share a very common trademark of hackers and or bots.

Well what are thous trademarks I speak of. Well there are a few that are almost always associated with hackers and or bots trying to get at you through your MSN/Windows Live Messenger account.

Here is a list of the most common ways that MSN / Windows Live Messenger can be attacked:

1. You get an invite with a name with more then 4 digits..so like Adam2234565 wants to be your friends please accept or deny

2. There are several different versions of the same name one after the other like this Adam2325353. Then you deny the invite, Then another dradam24243 asks for permission to join you again.

3. Or a just plain non-sense name like sueitdown123 or abcdegfrg123….

Why dose “MNS/Windows Live Messenger” pose such an attractive target. Well first off the hacker or hackers can use bots. Who will use a ton of different combinations to try and get your trust and allowance into your friends list. Then from there they can install Trojans or Keyloggers.

If you are persuaded to accept a files or press on a link. Then you are asking for a virus. I personally recommend disabling all active links with in your MSN/Windows Live Massager…

Here is a simple how to guide for disabling links via MSN or Windows Live Messenger

1. Click on MSN/Windows Live Messenger Icon

2. Then Click On Options

3. Then Go down to second last option called “Security“

4. Click you should see a bunch of check boxes and un-checked off boxes.

5. Now un-check off the box with “Allow Links In My Conversation Window And Contact List“

6. Click Apply

7. Click Done

8. Now your are good and all of your links. Will now have to be copy and pasted in your web address bar to work.

So that brings me to what should you do to prevent bots or hackers in your friends list ?

1. Check your Privacy Settings

2. Don’t give out your username or e-mail address to just anybody

3. Never post your username on a public forum or in a comment section

4. Don’t stay logged on for long periods of time

5. Don’t use your full name as your e-mail address

6. Keep a log of all your conversations (It can be very useful in court or as proof of criminal intent)

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If you guys have any question regarding this or any similar scam. Please don’t hesitate to comment or e-mail us @ computer.savvy@hotmail.com

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DISCLAIMER: The Computer Savvy Weblog has no control over the ads Google decides to display on our blog/site. Due  to the fact The Computer Savvy Weblog is using the free version of WordPress. Sorry for any inconvenience or possible mis-understandings this may of caused.

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Till The Next Feature,

William

Internet Scam Victims – Real Stories

Source: Scam Victims United

When I (Being the writer of this post Shawn) first became a scam victim I was embarrassed and did not want anyone to know . . . that lasted all of 5 minutes and then I was angry at so many things . . . the scammers for their greed, the banking system for not giving me accurate information about how long it takes for a cashier’s check to clear, the wire transfer company for not having more warnings about these scams in their businesses and for turning a blind eye to the problem.

That is when I KNEW I had to do something.  I started to contact the media in order to get our story out there, and you know what . . . it HELPED!  It helped me to talk about it and get it out there, but it also helped so many other people.  My phone was ringing off the hook from people saying “The same thing happened to me” or from people who heard our story in the media in time for them to know the situation they were about to enter into was a scam and it saved them thousands of dollars.

If you are a scam victim, you could do the same thing for someone else.  I am contacted by the media in a regular basis asking for help in locating recent scam victims who would be willing to share their story.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know that you saved someone else from going through the living hell that becomes your life when you discover you are a victim of a scam.

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Disclaimer: (CSW) has nothing to do with this project. But saying that we strongly support the idea of it. So please free free to contact our friend  Shawn if you wish to participate in this project

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If you would like to be able to help to educate people about scams and fraud, and possibly save someone from becoming a victim, please email me and I will work to connect you with a media person that will do your story justice and help us to take a step forward in educating people about these scams.

Also, you can connect with me and follow our updates from http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch/

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Post Written By Shawn Mosch of Scam Victims United

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**Approved to be posted on (CSW) by Remy “Se7en” And Spyder

EPD 37: Fan Mail Friday’s (04/15/2011)

Dear Computer Savvy Team,

I just wanted to write in and ask a quick q. Are you worried about people using your scam mail lists for criminal or other non-intended purposes ?

Sent in By Jade and Hyde

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Reply: I was at first. But all the address we have posted are confirmed as scammers and or spammers (So there of little use for someone. Who may want make to profit or cause harm). I say that because now it is very easy to use any search engine like Google or Bing. And find out via our site or a site like ours. That they are not legit e-mails from Hotmail / Microsoft with in less then 5 mins.

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Till Next Friday,

Remy “Se7en”

Scam Watch: The Many Dangers Of E-cards Explained

Dear Readers,

I’ve been receiving a lot of e-mails and comments regarding this issue and more then 65% of the infected computers I cleaned up. Were because of accepting e-cards from people posing as friends, family, and other from unknown sources (This can also includes sites like Facebook and other such sites)

So in this I’ll explain..what an e-card is and why it is more trouble then it is worth.

“ What is an E-card ? E-cards or Electronic cards – is a compressed file that is sent normally via e-mail from sites such as FaceBook, MySpace, and birthday/event reminder sites, and many many others. And once you open up the card it will de-compress (Open up) really really fast. Then display a funny sayings, animation and a whole slew of other things are possible.

So what is the problem with e-cards ? Well main issues is because e-cards are generally just a compressed files containing a really small program. That will run once the card is opened (clicked on). Some e-cards are just simply a links that will ask you to click to activate/open it. In any case anything that contains a small compress program of any kind. Is begging the question, Well if it is a small program COULD IT CONTAIN A VIRUS ? and in some cases it is a perfect and unexpected place to put some really nasty code/viruses. That will be sent straight to you via your very own inbox. The best example I can give is a year or so ago. There was a HALLMARK CARD VIRUS. That would cause a catastrophic failure of your hard-drives and worst THERE ARE NO FIXES…just kiss your COMPUTER GOODBYE….

Sure it is nice to receive a card on your birthday or on other important occasions. But really think hard because IS IT REALLY WORTH THE RISK ?

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Till The Next Post,

Remy “Se7en”

EPD 8: Fan Mail Friday’s (09/24/2010)

(Last Updated Jan 8th, 2011 @ 9:25 pm EST) RC 3.5

Dear Computer Savvy,

How did you guys come up with the idea to post all thous scam mail address ?

Dana .R

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Reply:  Well Dana…. We just figured it would be very useful. If someone who got an e-mail from Hotmail or Paypal and such that looks off (Fake or a phising attack). That they then could look it up easily using Google or another search engine  ether using the just the e-mail address or with the subject line they used (Such as Verify Your Account now To Avoid It Closed‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏)So far it seems to have worked and we are doing our best to make it as user friendly as possible.

Right now we are spending most of our time and effort with improving. Just the Hotmail and Foreign Lottery Scam Mail List/Databases. But Dana we have had some major interest in us upgrading all of our Scam Mail Lists/Databases such as our Paypal or Bank or America lists. But that will honestly take a lot of time and effort to achieve on our part. But we do plan to keep on introducing every few months a whole new and upgraded scam mail lists.

So keep your eyes peeled on both the Features Page and our weekly Blog Updates for clues on when that will happen.

PS: That or you could follow us on Twitter

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If you are interested in looking at said upgraded Scam Mail Lists /Databases here are the link to the 2:

**Scam Watch: Hotmail E-mail Account Scam Explained + Example

**Scam Watch: Foreign Lottery Scam Explained + Example

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Till Next Friday,

Danny

EPD 7: Fan Mail Friday’s (9/17/2010)

Dear Remy And Nico,

I just wanted to say I love your Scam Watch feature on JustAnswer.com -Scam Watch: JustAnswer.com Is It A Scam ? Or Is It Just A Really Bad Investment ?-. I’ve read it a number of times and I am both impressed with the feature it self. As well as the very close follow up with all the people who comment on your post.

I just thank God I Google search Just Answer before I spent my money.

Anyways I just had one question…..

I remember seeing somewhere in that JA.com comment section. I think it was about how you guys go about researching and posting new Scam Watch features. Could you please re-post it ? as I want to use a similar template and or process.

**Keep up the great work :)

Toby C.

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Reply:  Well Toby, we our always very flattered when we get comments or mail from our core readership. About any post or feature we have written.

I am very happy to hear you enjoyed the feature and it informed you about a possible usage of the JustAnswer.com  Q+A online service.

Now about our very close follow-up with all the people who comment on the JA.com post. Well we the post and comments very seriously so we answer all comments regardless of what they say. We here at the Computer Savvy Weblog (CSW) have always held replying to all our readers comments as very important across all our posts and features. Mainly because we appreciate having readers and hearing what they have to say.

And here is the comment / template you requested…..

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**Pulled from -Scam Watch: JustAnswer.com Is It A Scam ? Or Is It Just A Really Bad Investment ?- Comment section**

2010/04/04 at 8:23 PM | In reply to Ulysses.

Well I want to let everyone in on how The Computer Savvy Weblog (CSW) works in the bulk of cases.

Stage 1: We here @ (CSW) get a report of a possible scam. That is key possible we are not calling it confirmed till much later if at all.

Stage 2: Then depending on the report it can start to go into a further 4 stages. I’ll call them Stages 3, 4, 5 and 6 for sake of keeping it as simple as possible.

Stage 3: -SORTING-

- Scams we are aware of already

- Scams we are not aware of

- Pending more evidence (Example: Not enough e-mail reports or un-verified reports of hear say or just plan angry people)

- Pending more research

** Further sorting as we receive a couple hundred a day by both e-mail, Twiiter PM’s and Comments as you can see by this post…

Step 4: -REVIEW and POSSIBLE HAND OFF-

- Who would best fit to cover this (Which of my current membership is best suited to cover this)

Step 5: RESEARCH

- Self Explanatory

Step 6: PUBLISH And PRESENT

- If the report even gets this far a post/article is written and presented to receive feedback

- Still even at this late stage we are still watching all the comments and e-mails. Which as you very well know I personally e-mail said person back with my response to the comment. At which time anyone is free to e-mail me back or PM me. About my comment or a fellow blog member’s post or comment.

So in conclusion even thou I personally would love to go after all the reports we get, I can’t. But I have a very dedicated research staff and blog crew. Who without none of this blog would even be possible.

But in this case even thou I did not open my own JustAswser.com account. As sure as I am talking to you now, I have plenty of members who did.

Thanks as always for the quick and detailed answer Ulysses,

Remy “Se7en”

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Till Next Friday,

Remy “Se7en”

Scam Watch: Counterfeit Goods -Part 4- “Fake Movie, Sporting Events and Concert Tickets”

Dear Readers,

(Last Updated Sept 4, 2010 @ 8:10 pm EST) Fixed Some very minor grammar and spelling issues.

Hello everyone Scam Watch is back and this time with an scam that can put you both at a loss for not only your words. But can also put you at a  rather large loss of money and your memories. We here at the (CSW) call this issue/scam The Counterfeit Goods Scam.

What is the The Counterfeit Goods Scam ? – This scam is all about greed and faking it in a way that very few people know the item is fake. In this case the item is an entrance or will call ticket for Movies, Sporting Events and Concert Tickets.

So, what are the main problems with The Counterfeit Goods Scam ?

Well there are a few issues right off the back. There is the idea you are being ripped off because the item is fake “So paying for a non-authentic ticket”. Then there is the potential embarrassment and waste of your time that comes with a fake ticket.

This scam has gained an insane amount of steam over the last year or 2. The issues comes with trying to buy your ticket online from the best priced vendor. I don’t blame people for not wanting to spend hundreds of dollars to see an event that last for maybe 2 hours.

Ticket scams comes in many forms……

1. A straight up counterfeit or fake ticket. Often they turn out to be just a recipe or a poorly done photo copy of a a real ticket.

2. A ticket to the wrong event

3. A over priced ticket

4. Incorrect ticket related to seat you actually were suppose to receive. Such as base line sporting event tickets.

5. Duplicate tickets. Basically there was 2 or more copies of the same ticket for that seat. (This can be done in error or as a part of a much larger scam)

6. Wrong date on ticket

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Ok, here is a list of some of the many ways I’ve seen to spot a fake…….

A. Mis-spelled words on the ticket

B. Does not have any disclaimer on the back

C. Does not have a hologram or hologram rubs off

D. Really cheap price (Pay attention to why it is cheaper)

E. Does not have the tear of portion of the ticket

D. Says receipt only

F. Says this is not an actually ticket on the face (People don’t laugh at this. Because this happens way more often then you may think.)

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Q: What should you expect from an online ticket purchase ?

A: Well the bulk of online ticket sellers will not be able to provided you with an actual ticket via print out. Due to poor home printer quality and the bulk of tickets now have holograms and or other anti-counterfeit measures such as money.

So make sure you read the instructions on how to claim your tickets. The tickets should clearly say please use recipient to claim tickets at the Will Call or main box office for. Often you can pick up your tickets at the box office or stand alone kiosk before before the event starts.

You should never expect that the tickets you print on your home printer will be valid on there own. (Unless other wise stated. But that is very very uncommon)

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Ways to prevent getting caught up in this scam:

- Try to avoid buying tickets from scalpers

- Feel the item ticket does it feel like a photo copy

- If it is too cheap it may be a fake

- Do your research

- Know what size and colour the ticket is suppose to look like

- Ask friends or family if they have shopped at that website

- Do a Google search on the event to compare prices for tickets and seat placement.

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If you guys have any question regarding this or any similar scam. Please don’t hesitate to comment or e-mail us @ computer.savvy@hotmail.com

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DISCLAIMER: The Computer Savvy Weblog has no control over the ads Google decides to display on our blog/site. Due  to the fact The Computer Savvy Weblog is using the free version of WordPress. Sorry for any inconvenience or possible mis-understandings this may of caused.

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Till The Next Scam Watch Feature,

Remy “Se7en”