New Malware Alert: Smart Fortress

In case you have not heard, there is a new malware threat in the past few days, called "Smart Fortress," which appears to be an official anti-virus service (it looks like McAfee), and it offers to do a free virus scan.  If you accept, it will do a fake scan saying that you've got big problems, and then offer to sell you a removal tool online, involving giving your credit card number.  If you suddenly have a new shortcut on your desktop which says "Smart Fortress," your computer has this malware which needs to be removed.  I have also heard reports that the malware prevents you from searching the web for an explanation or solution.

From what I can see this morning, neither Symantec (Norton) nor McAfee have perfected their protection against this.  Instead, the McAfee blogs have links to several indie firms which have supposedly found a way to remove the malware.

So if you have some popup or other alert which says "Smart Fortress" or "Smart Protection," you have reason to be concerned because you probably already have the malware.  I'd recommend that you use another computer to search the web for the removal instructions.

Red'd this warning in an email today and thought I'd pass it on - added the link to the blog that they referenced.