Topic 2 What will you do? Why?

[Pongthep Miankaew]

If one day while you are playing the internet through the web browser, there is a warning message suddenly prompting that “Your computer is now infected with 20 viruses.” Click “Clean” button to kill those viruses. What will you do? Why?

[ABDILLAH FARKHAN]

I would prefer to press ctrl+w to close the page and ignore the alert, continue with closing the browser completely. If I would like to re-open the browser, I will do this without reloading all the tabs in the previous session.

For me, choosing the ‘clean’ button is the wrong option. That is exactly not a technical solution but is a fraud. The cyber cheaters usually use this trick to intimidate you aimed to offer you a solution which is a fake. In the nowadays era of information disclosure, there are many ways of online frauds committed by cyber cheaters. They may bring you to a solution and make you purchase unnecessary software to clean the system which is harmful. But there is another worst-case scenario that illustrates they steal your personal information, and if this goes ahead, they will be installing malware, ransomware, and other unnecessary programs onto your computer to damage or erase your data.

Correct me if I wrong.

[Arwin Jerome Manalo Onda]

Same strategy, just close the tab and start a new one. Best way to avert the potential threat.

[PREUT ASSAWAWORRARIT]

First, I will not click on the button provided by the pop-up because that pop-up may be a treat created by malicious people. Together, I will close that browser to stop connecting to that server. Then, I will use my antivirus that has been installed in my computer and up-to-date to check whether my computer is infected by those viruses or not.

To click the “clean” button on the pop-up is dangerous decision because that pop-up may contain some threats and prompt to enter to your computer after you press the clean button.

[Boonyarat Kanjanapongporn]

Thanks for sharing,
I would do the same process.

[Kawin Wongthamarin]

Of course, I wouldn’t click the clean button. Because I believe it’s a scam to gain access to some of our data. I’ve encountered many times like this and it’s very annoying.

To solve this problem, I have installed an extension to block advertisements or pop-ups from the website which makes my browsing experience much happier and doesn’t need to be as vigilant as before.

[Kansiri Apinantanakul]

Totally agree ka.
I’m also a big fan of ads blocks extension.

[Chanida Limthamprasert]

ads blocks extension is a good idea, I use them too.

[Boonyarat Kanjanapongporn]

I possibly wouldn’t click on ‘clean’ button and close all the browser tabs if they aren’t from my anti-virus program or browser extension. Because unknown pop-up could be from the scammer who try to get personal information or want people to download bundles of software which could be Trojan or Virus spreading files.
However, myself or others could accidentally click on the link which could download unwanted software to our devices. This will possibly create changes to our devices and harm our personal assets. In this case, I would try to remove unwanted software as soon as possible. With Windows os, I would run malware scanning to detect and remove malware. Moreover, I would try to uninstall the latest unknown app and remove browser add-ons. However, If changes from malware are still continuing, Back up data and reset laptop could be implemented.
To protect the recurrent situation, up to date operating systems and anti-virus programs have to be prepared. Browser security settings have to be checked. Rushed decisions and unknown links have to be avoided.

[Arwin Jerome Manalo Onda]

Based on experience, these pop-ups will redirect to some phishing websites (appear legitimate but if you look at URL it’s not legitimate, for example, a banking website) download an infected file, or infect the browser by installing numerous add-ons which will cause the browser to crash. Sometimes, these add-ons collect input data from users which may contain sensitive data.

Also, I haven’t heard or seen a browser-based scanning of computer for virus and be able to clean it if there is. It’s most likely a deceptive and malicious advertisement and will not click on it for security reasons.

[SIPPAPAS WANGSRI]

I won’t click on anything and will just close them in an instant since I know that those messages are fake. Although some fine-crafted spam website may seem legit, based on my experience and my knowledge, I knew that antivirus are not supposed to run on a website. Well, if you happen to click on the ‘Clean’ button, whether accidentally or out of curiosity, it will prompt you to download a malicious software (and only god knows what it would do to your computer). As long as you do not grant access, execute the downloaded program manually, you should be fine. Also, if you have an updated antivirus software and its definitions, it may help you detect a potentially unwanted software (however, not a hundred percent anyway)

[Kansiri Apinantanakul]

I also agree that the updated antivirus is also the good way of protecting computer threats.

[Tanyawat Saisongcroh]

For security reasons, I won’t click on anything that pop-ups and will close all the browser tabs. This pop-up could potentially contain malicious code. By clicking the link, it could be downloading malware or spyware to our computer or it could be an activation of an infection. Then I would run anti-virus software for a moment to check if there are any infections or not and also review the security setting of the browser again.

[Kansiri Apinantanakul]

From my experience, this pop-up usually malicious pop-up.
It could lead to phishing websites like Arwin mentioned or sometimes leads to automatically download (.exe) file website, which I think is the virus.

In this case, I would simply ignore it and close the web browser.
After re-open the web browser I would clear web histories, cookies and cache.
I also would run the anti-virus in my own laptop to check whether if anything go wrong.

However, I personally use the ad-block adds-on in web browser to avoid this type of pop-up (hopefully this help).

[Siriphak Pongthai]

I have just heard ad-block adds-on from you! I will try look them for more information.
Thank you for sharing!

[Siriphak Pongthai]

I think we all have some protections ^_^.

I agree with others. I will definitely not to click “clean” button as it could cause potential harm to my device. In case I clicked the clean button, an opened link could spread me viruses or other types of threats which can cause harm to my device and information.

I would better turn off all opened browsers and re-open the browser I need to open again.

[Rapeephan Duangjanchot]

That must be the best and easiest way to deal with this case, I think.

[Tanatorn Tilkanont]

Totally agree with everyone.

I will not click on a “clean” button to kill those viruses. This pop-up sounds weird to me. I believe that clicking on a “clean” button may allow threats attack to my computer, unauthorized use of data, or data theft. I would immediately close that web browser, restart the computer, and run a new web browser.

[Rapeephan Duangjanchot]

I won’t click the “clean” button and ignore it. Then I will close that tab because I don’t believe the caution. I believe only my installed programs. That web might contain virus that can harm my labtop.

[Chanida Limthamprasert]

I will not click any of that since all of them are scammers. I will close the window or do any other way to avoid them.

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