Fastcomputerupdates.net

Fastcomputerupdates.net is a domain that malware researchers recently confirmed for having connections to browser hijacking attacks and the distribution of fake Flash updates that may install threats. Browsers that redirect to Fastcomputerupdates.net repeatedly, or from otherwise safe websites, may be compromised by other threats that you should remove from your PC. Any contact with Fastcomputerupdates.net or any contact with domains affiliated with Fastcomputerupdates.net should be considered a prompt to scan your PC with the best anti-malware tools available for your use.

The Updates that Come to Your Browser without being Asked

Fastcomputerupdates.net is one of the various, newly registered domains being promoted through a browser redirection campaign that began at the same time as these domains' registration dates: September to November of this year. Redirect attacks may take place at random websites, rather than on specific domains, which is heavily indicative of an additional PC threat being installed and then modifying the affected browser's settings.

Other symptoms that victims of redirects to Fastcomputerupdates.net have reported include browser instability, crashes and poor performance. At this time, these symptoms have not extended to other programs on a compromised machine, which is indicative of the presence of specialized browser hijackers. Malware researchers saw no evidence of any advertisements or similar content that could associate redirects to Fastcomputerupdates.net with toolbars or other, seemingly 'legitimate' browser add-ons.

After loading, Fastcomputerupdates.net provides a fake patch for Flash, which Fastcomputerupdates.net always will claim is out of date. Malware experts still are in the process of examining the payload of this fraudulent update. Common threats distributed in such attacks may include backdoor Trojans (threatening software that may enable remote access to your machine) and various forms of spyware (threatening software that may collect information). Due to pending further analysis, malware experts can neither confirm or deny the possible usage of exploit kits that could download malware without requiring any permission from the PC's user.

Declining a 'Flash Update' Trojan in a Flash

Fastcomputerupdates.net is one of the multiple sites peddling the same, redundant tactic to distribute unwanted and potentially threatening software. Other domains that also may be promoted in the same campaign as Fastcomputerupdates.net include Instantpcupdate.info, easycomputerrepairs.be, easyinstantupdates.be, quick-computer-repairs.be, simpleinstant-update.be and Premiumvideoupdating.be. Despite the high usage of Belgium-based domains, Fastcomputerupdates.net hijackers appear to be targeting English-speaking PC users in significant numbers.

The harm from any temporary, unintentional contact with Fastcomputerupdates.net can be mitigated by using robust browser protection, such as anti-script settings. Unfortunately, Fastcomputerupdates.net's registration is recent, like the rest of its campaign, and most PC security companies have not yet analyzed and blacklisted this website. No matter what the visible results of loading a corrupted site might be, malware researchers urge any victims of Fastcomputerupdates.net redirects to scan their PCs for threats without any delays.