I’ve written about this tactic before – using ‘rogue/fake’ threat or infection warnings to distribute REAL malware. This is one very effective way to get unsuspecting or untrained people to accidentally actually ‘infect’ themselves.
It now appears that a legitimate (using that word lightly now) company – CheckPoint, makers of ZoneAlarm is using the same tactic to ‘up sell’ their products to unsuspecting consumers. I hope others do not follow.
Please take the time to read this very short article.
At one time I used and recommended their products and most were quite good. In fact ZoneAlarm was one of the first ‘software firewalls’ I every used consistantly – over a decade ago.
However………
With this move CheckPoint has assured itself that it will be uninstalled and/or blocked on ALL of the machines (hundreds) I manage or have any influence upon.
I am passing this information to EVERYONE in my sphere of influence and I hope they do the same. Maybe even demand a refund pro-rata on any products they have installed.
Real D*%k move CheckPoint. See you later.