Skype malware, Onlinealert and ScanAlert

One of my computers has Skype Chat turned on. This afternoon I received a message from Security Center ® (Offline) Skype™ Chat (yes those registration marks are what was there) warning me that WINDOWS REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.

The warning directs the reader to "download the patch" from a website calling itself Onlinealert.

Normally I'd disregard this but this is my test machine that I know is clean so I thought I'd visit the Onlinealert page.

Sure enough, this site runs a fake scan from an organisation called ScanAlert that gives a bunch of fake malware detections.

I don't know how much ScanAlert charge for their wares, but given the false results I personally wouldn't be trusting them too much to keep my computer hacker safe.

Incidentally, the Onlinealert domain is registered to someone in Moscow calling themselves Sergei Machorin.

I'm sure if Sergei really exists, he'll make a few bucks from people who've been fooled into this little scam.

It will be interesting to see what Skype have to say about this.

Ten years doing the radio

I was going through my old files today and found the fax that started my ABC Radio spots.

I didn't realise it, but sometime last month I passed the ten years mark of doing the Weekend show.

I feel old.

The Australian Technology Blog

A new blog is born to join the other seven million created every day.

I've set up the Australian Technology Blog to discuss technology issues and how they affect Australians, both individuals and businesses.

This blog will continue as my outlet for non-technology issues and generally venting my spleen.

I hope you can visit both.