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.
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.
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.
