Guidant Partners Advises Businesses to Take Proper Precautions Against "Scare-Ware"

Online, March 29, 2010 (Newswire.com) - March 30, 2010...According to Guidant Partners, a Nashville-based Information Technology (IT) Managed Services Provider, scare-ware begins as a window that pops up saying, "Your computer has been infected with a virus. Click here for a free scan."

Usually, when a person's computer is infected with this type of program, pop-ups will plague the screen until the user downloads the supposed anti-virus software. This type of malicious program is also called "ransom-ware" because it will slow down computers and cause all kinds of functionality problems. The messages promise that by purchasing and downloading the software the computer will be fixed. The problem is most often the programs are fake and useless. Some of these phony anti-virus programs look very legitimate and professional using names and graphics that look identical to authentic anti-virus programs.

"Unfortunately, because of the huge profit these cyber criminals gain from marketing these products, we expect them to become even more furtive and multifaceted in the year ahead," says Steve Burgess, CEO of Guidant Partners.

Guidant Partners advises that the best defense against scare-ware is to always have up-to-date anti-malware software installed. The next, and arguably most important, defense is for users to never click on unknown links in email or on the web. Users should always look at the status bar to see if the link they think they're clicking is actually where they're being redirected. But even this can be spoofed, so users need to be careful and should not click to unfamiliar websites.

When a computer user sees a pop-up from alleged anti-virus or anti-malware software; they should not click buttons on the screen until they've fully investigated the origin of the pop-up. No reputable anti-vurus or anti-malware company is going to have a user "click here" for a website that asks the user to pay.

Companies who work with Guidant Partners are protected from these sorts of attacks by the high level of security Guidant puts in place on each workstation. Business owners can relax knowing they have 24x7 protection and support from Guidant, shielding their data and hardware, and insuring against a loss of money due to virus attacks.

About Guidant Partners:
Guidant Partners offers a collection of IT solutions designed to minimize the inherent risks associated with IT, and to mitigate business impacts arising from IT failure. They deliver 24x7 protection of electronic data - all for a predictable and stabilized monthly fee.

Guidant Partners is located at 714 Airpark Center Drive in Nashville. To learn more or request a free technology savings analysis for your business, visit http://www.guidantpartners.com/, email [email protected] or call 615-277-3370. Their office hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm with client support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Contact:
Lynn Tinsey
[email protected]
(615) 218-8401