Please be aware of the latest security threat on Skype

I accepted an invitation from an unknown source with a .cusa extension in the file name that APPEARED to be from Skype advising me that there was a security threat detected on Skype that needed to be disabled (stupid me ). Whatever this thing is, started to run what looks like a fake scan for malware on my computer. Wouldn't you know it...MALWARE WAS DETECTED !

At the end of the scan I received a pop up box indicating my computer has malware and to press enter to disable the malware. This is when I became suspicous, because I have McAfee installed on every computer in the house and I use a malware/virus clean up system on a regular basis.

Well, I tried to close this stupid box and it would not let me get out of it. I was TRAPPED and I kept getting a series of pop up boxes requiring me to enter credit card information in order to remove the malware for 20 freakin' dollars. So the whole plot was a scare tactic to gain access to my credit card information.

Here is how I fixed the problem. I had to go to my task manager and shut down the popups, lockdown my firewall (this feature is located in McAfee), stop my system restore, and spend an hour and half (at least) to clean up any potential threats.

Please, please, please, be vigilant! I don't want anyone to experience this. I am losing valuable time. Fortunately, we have two other computers that I can use so I could get some work done (I'm actually using my desktop to type this message)...whew!

Here is a link to the Skype Community with information that will help you recognize the threat when you see it.

Toodles!

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Angela D. Jordan
Your Humble Assistant, LLC

Thanks Angela for posting this and the fix. I have McAfee on both my computers also and some other security programs both too. When you see a virus downloading, you can also immediately click on the Ctrl/Alt/Delete at the same time which takes you to the Task Manager.

I know what a PIA it is, the time wasted alone really gets you off to a bad start in the day.

I got a Skype scare a few times when I got a message appearing to come from Skype saying I had a virus. I emailed Skype but they never answered me. Nothing happened though.

It is so important to have other computers that you can work on in the meantime too! Glad all is well now.

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JoCarole
http://www.shoreofficeservices.com

Yes me too - I just signed up for skype a couple of months ago and only have my daughter in HI to talk to (so far) and I too was getting some crazy warning that I needed to update my skype but it was a request to ADD the contact which thankfully sent me a red flag- If the company (Skype) is having a legit problem they will inform you without you having to add them as a contact-

I denied this request only to be requested three more times - I have figured out that I can "Block " this sender and so far have not had any more requests.

Good luck getting your computer cleaned up! My desktop PC is down right now (power source fried) so all I have is my lap top and I am scared to death of anything happening to it.
I need to set up my tera-drive and back up everything! I think that is something I will prioritize to do this weekend!

Thanks for letting me know my instincts were right about that threat!

Guess I was a bit more vigilant due to my prior experiences. A few month back someone had hacked into my mailing list on one of my yahoo accounts and were sending all my contacts viruses & malware from me... thankfully all it took was for me to warn my contacts I'd been hacked into, and to change my password on my account. Only two contacts took the bait and clicked on the links- so damage was minimal.

I am grateful that most of my contacts knew the emails looked fishy and couldn’t understand what I was sending them or why. The emails weren’t normal - to what I usually send.

So I did a bunch of research on security pass codes - Just be aware – change your passwords often (once a month) to something not easy to crack. Acronyms are great because they are easy to remember, and hard to decipher
– such as a sentence like:

My three children and cat Casper love to cuddle
Pass code would be: M3c&cCltc

We have four dogs three horses and two cats
= Wh4D3H&2C

2010 I offer a 10% discount to all my new clients
= 2010Ioa10%dtamnc

I love fast cars! rainbows horses my husband and my kids!
=Ilfc!rhmh&mk!

You get the idea...Make it up, anything goes, but be sure it is something you can identify with. You can use any sentence that you are familiar with that you will remember - but remember the key is making it hard to crack by adding in numbers and symbols.
Make your pass codes at least 8 characters long.

Mix up the numbers symbols and capitals. Most people add the number to the end of their pass codes... Hackers know this.

Thanks for your post it was very helpful! I hope others read this and can avoid trouble!
And I hope my experience can help someone else as well.

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Rebecca Brackney
Virtual Personal Assistant

....this is the reason why I closed my Skype account and bought Magic Jack.

Jackie

I love Skype, but it seems that almost everyday I receive messages for "enhancements" or viruses. I block and report every single one.

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April Sullivan
The REVA Academy

Like any social media or application where you expand your network it is important to not just accept any invitation.

It is also equally important to scrutinize messages that just do not make sense. The rule thumb that I have is if in doubt, go the the company site and send them a contact email through their system as to whether the request is legit or not.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant