Is a fake security alert on my computer really a virus?

Answer by  pinkie (247)

If you have an antivirus installed in your computer, then probably not. The security alert is exactly what you called it, fake. They serve a marketing function to scare you out of your wits to go out and purchase antivirus software. If you want to be more certain, immediately update your virus scanner and do a virus scan.

Answer by  Heloise (397)

No, not usually, but it may be an attempt to trick you into downloading a virus. Typically the alert will claim there is some kind of problem on your computer, and encourage you to download some software that supposedly fixes it. If you go ahead and download the software, THIS may contain a virus, spyware, or other malware.

Answer by  PiperHaley (110)

It could be a computer virus. Or it could be spyware. Spyware is software that spys on your computer. It could be as innocent as grabbing information about your online habits to as harmful as recording your keystrokes and grabbing your private information like your password(s), bank account numbers, etc.

Answer by  benjiross (993)

Fake security alerts that request you or force you click or visit a site are either viruses or trojans/spyware/adware installers. It means that you visited a site that installed this bug and your computer is at risk for crashing or getting more spyware and trojans installed which means that it could also get hacked.

Answer by  tamarawilhite (17883)

A fake security alert may be a virus. It may also be spam-ware, which generates automatic pop ups until you select to go to the site where the software creator wants you to go. You need to get your antivirus and spyware scanning software updated, then scan your system at least twice.