I don’t normally write a lot about specific computer-related issues, mostly because I don’t have the technical chops to really get into a lot of detail.

However, there is something I feel needs to be addressed: fake virus scanning software.

Have you ever gone to a website and had a realistic-looking window pop up, telling you that your computer has been infected with a virus? Usually, it will tell you to “click here” to run a “free virus scan.”

That was malicious software. If you “click[ed] here,” it very likely installed some form of spyware or adware onto your computer.

These are nasty programs. At best, they can annoy you by highjacking your homepage. so that when you open a web browser, some weird “search” page appears that logs every single thing you search for and spams you accordingly. It can lead to constant pop-up advertisements, misdirection to fake websites, and more.

At worst, they can install spyware, such as a keylogger that tracks every single thing you type on your computer, including logins and passwords. Big trouble if you happen to log in to do some online banking or bill payment.

When these fake virus scanners show up, there is always a button to “cancel,” but frankly, I don’t trust it. It could be set up to do the exact same thing as the “Install” button. I always click the “X” in the upper-right corner of the window.

Then I shut down my web browser, disconnect from the Internet and run an immediate virus scan, because I also don’t really trust that “X” I just clicked. Perhaps I am overreacting, but spyware freaks me out. Better to overreact than to give someone access to my online accounts.

If you already have a good virus scanner (I use Norton Internet Security) and are keeping your updates current (and I know you are, right?), they usually run pretty silently in the background. They might throw out a pop-up window if you’re heading straight into serious trouble, but it won’t look like just a regular “Windows window,” and it won’t ask you to install anything (you’ve already installed the software) or talk about “free trials.”

No matter what brand of virus protection software you’re using, I would also highly recommend Spybot Search & Destroy. This is a program designed specifically to target spyware, adware and other malware. Most likely, your primary virus scanner will catch everything, but it never hurts to have a little backup. Spybot S&D is free, but beware of software with a similar-but-not-quite-the-same name. I’d recommend you only get it from the site linked above.

Whatever you do, don’t be taken in by fake virus scanners.