Last updated at 5:39 PM on 21st July 2011
Google has started warning more than two million internet users that their PC has been infected with a virus.
The malicious software hijacks Google browser searches and redirects people to websites containing fake security programs that pay the scammers for traffic.
Those affected by the virus will be greeted with a yellow warning at the top of their search results, Google said today.
Warning: Those affected by the virus will be greeted with a yellow warning at the top of their Google search results
According to the company, the malware found its way onto computers via fake anti-virus software.
Then, when a Google search is entered it is sent to servers, controlled by the cyber criminals, which modify and redirect the traffic.
Writing on Google's blog, security engineer Damian Menscher said: 'The malware appears to have gotten onto users' computers from one of roughly a hundred variants of fake anti-virus, or 'fake AV' software that has been in circulation for a while.'
Google uncovered the mass scam while carrying out routine maintenance at a data centre.
When a Google search is entered it is sent to servers, controlled by cyber criminals, which modify and redirect the traffic
Customers affected by the malware are issued with instructions on how to remove the virus from their computer.
Google's swift response is further evidence that large internet firms are vulnerable to cyber crime.
Apple has long boasted of the Mac's immunity to viruses and malware - but online security experts recently warned that the computers are facing an increased threat from criminals because of their popularity.
They said that Macs are now a more attractive target for hackers due to the rising number of people who choose them over a PC.
22 Jul, 2011--
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2017359/Google-warns-TWO-MILLION-users-computers-infected-virus.html?ITO=1490
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