Fake Antivirus Programs
Oct 28, 2008
Fake antivirus programs claim 30 million victims
More than 30 million Internet users have fallen victim to fake antivirus programs that snatch up people's money and personal information, security research firm PandaLabs has announced. The phenomenon may not be a new one, but it's growing more and more popular as the scammers are getting more crafty. There are now over 7,000 variants of this type of adware, says PandaLabs, and the number of infections caused by it is increasing rapidly.
Users can get infected with this fake antivirus scam in the same manner as any other type of virus or malware—by downloading questionable content from P2P networks, opening e-mail attachments from unknown addresses, or visiting malicious web pages. As most of us already know (probably by servicing the computers of our parents and other less-tech-savvy family members), users are often duped by seeing the software pop up windows that claim the machine is infected, fake bluescreens, or cause other annoyances (PandaLabs notes one where cockroaches crawl all over the desktop).
Many users are motivated to fork over money to get rid of this ASAP.
While many Internet users know not to hand over private information or credit card numbers just because of a few pop-ups, PandaLabs estimates that three percent of them have provided personal details to the purveyors of products that claim to disinfect computers. "Extrapolating from an average European price of €49.95, we can calculate that the creators of these programs are receiving more than €10 million per month," writes PandaLabs.
That is, of course, ignoring the greater financial implications of users handing over their credit card numbers to scammers—the firm notes that, if those numbers are being used fraudulently, then the cost to consumers is obviously quite a bit higher.
Of course, the fact that 30 million users may have fallen for such a scam doesn't surprise us too much. A recent study by the Psychology Department of North Carolina State University revealed that most Internet users don't exercise much caution when presented with fake dialog boxes and pop-up windows with obvious warning signs of malware. Additionally, security software maker AVG found earlier this year that men tend to be much more confident about their online security knowledge than women, but they both end up suffering from identity theft in equal amounts. It just goes to show that even when users talk the talk, they don't always walk the walk when it comes to being safe online.
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May 6, 2008
I've seen posts describing the /verifyreposition /salvagerepository switches for winmgmt. Verify has always show the repository is consistent. Using the netstop, rename repository, net start approach initially works, but within a day Security Center is reporting multiple antivirus programs again.
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Jan 30, 2009
I was browsing online (no naughty sites, I promise) I opened a window that appeared to have one of those classic fake antivirus programs.. you know the kind, "Your computer may be infected get a free scan now!!" The green progress bar at the bottom of my IE window started to move across as if something was downloading so I didn't stick around. I tried to close the window by right clicking on the task bar, that didn't work, so I shut down my internet connection. To close the window I shut down my computer. I restarted, and all seemed to be well. I have the Norton fraud monitoring active on IE and it didn't show any errors, but just to be safe, I scanned with both Defender and my Norton (both up to date). Nothing came up.
I checked my software explorer with Defender, no new startup programs, no unfamiliar processes. The computer is acting normal. No pop ups, no unusual CPU activity. The one thing that worries me is that when I went looking into the reports and activities section of my Norton software, under 'firewall activities' starting yesterday at around the time this all happened, I saw this message showing up
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Mar 10, 2009
When I login to Vista x64 (this doesn't happen on Vista x86), about every third time I get a proxy login message. Since I don't have a proxy server and the login box says that the server is 0.0.0.0, it is obviously a bug. how to turn this off? I have already disabled "Detect Proxy Server" in Internet Options.
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Oct 10, 2008
Dear Microsoft Customer, Please notice that Microsoft company has recently issued a Security Update for OS Microsoft Windows. The update applies to the following OS versions: Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows Millenium, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista. Please notice, that present update applies to high-priority updates category. In order to help protect your computer against security threats and performance problems, we strongly recommend you to install this update..................
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Apr 26, 2010
1. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0 (Not Recommend): AVG Antivirus and Security Software - Download Free Antivirus
2. avast! Free Anti-Virus Edition: avast! Free Antivirus - Download Software for Virus Protection
3. Avira AntiVir Personal: Avira AntiVir Personal - FREE Antivirus
Please post if there are anymore free anti-virus editions. For #5 (Comodo Internet Security Suite), there is a bug. If you click the link, it will go to Comodo Anti-Virus, you can use Anti-Virus. If you want Internet Security, click it on the left side panel.
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May 29, 2009
My son got duped by a fake anti-virus popup scam. He followed some directions that included restarting computer, when it rebooted almost all icons in the tray were gone. It removed my Verizon security suite, will not let me access any windows security features, will not let me download any of the free a/v-a/spyware recommended by other posters in this sys security forum. It won't let me uninstall ANY programs. It pops up every 3-4 mins declaring Internet explorer has a worm trying to access my credit card info or with a list of all these other infections,it's relentless. It will not let me use Firefox. It added it's own icon in my tray and calls itself System Security. It blocks any attempt to use/download anything to use against it whether it's windows defender/malware remover or commercial products. What the hell!!? Anyone heard of this particular level of scam and take over of computer function? Any ideas to defeat it? Using Vista Home Premium 32 bit.
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Jul 2, 2008
I wish to learn how to create a fake e-mail address for use in windows mail when posting to newsgroups so my identity is protected.
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Feb 15, 2010
I do not want to see any of the programs at the top of the list of All Programs (especially Internet Explorer). I just want to see the program folders listed, preferably sorted by newest or most recently modified first, by alphabetically would be OK. How to get rid of the 8 programs shown in here? Thanks.
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Apr 24, 2009
Ive been having a few problems with uninstalling some programs via the add/remove programs tool. For example I have been trying to uninstall Itunes and everytime I do Windows installer says it is preparing to remove and then it stops and a window come up that says "The system administrator has set policies to prevent this installation." and then another one says I do not have sufficient access to uninstall Itunes and to please contact system administrator.
So I spoke to a friend how recommended this forum subject and I followed the Take Ownership steps a few times but to no avail it still does the same thing. I can't update Itunes untill this one is uninstalled!!!!!
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Mar 26, 2008
I use Vista 32 Ultimate and I have this problem during the startup of Windows: The UAC control stops 2 programs and I'm not able to let these programs load with UAC control active. Tried everything also in Windows defender but no success. I must always confirm and let run these programs clicking on the UAC block tray icon that appear during the load of these 2 programs. Someone tell me that these programs blocked by UAC must be updated from the developers to pass the UAC.
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Mar 1, 2009
when i go to start, all programs, all my folders/programs show up, but then i noticed that theres a "programs" folder within the list, and when i click that, it shows all the same folders/programs that are in the "all programs" list. but then some of the folders within the ones in the 'all programs" list, they are empty, but they show up in the programs folder in the list. i dont know how this happened and i just wanted to know how to fix this issue.
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Mar 18, 2010
This morning, I started my computer, logged on and went on the Start Menu to access Microsoft Office programs. But when I went on the 'All Programs' menu, there were no programs listed! I really mean NO PROGRAMS AT ALL. This includes Microsoft Office folder and every other software and program i have got!.
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Mar 14, 2009
I just got my new computer with Vista Home Premium x64, from Windows Professional XP. Installed programs are not showing up at Start/All Programs. Some are in directory C: Programs or Program Files (x86) and still dont't show up.
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Aug 31, 2009
What antivirus works best with Vista Home Premium?
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Jan 27, 2009
Antivirus 360 is a rogue anti-spyware program that uses false scan results and aggressive advertising in order to promote itself. This rogue is advertised by the Vundo Trojan and is replacing the Antivirus 2009 rogue program that Vundo has been aggressively advertising. If you are infected with the Vundo Trojan you will see a large amount of pop-ups stating that your computer is infected and that you should install Antivirus 360 in order to protect yourself. If you click on the ad, Antivirus 360 will be downloaded to your computer and you will be prompted to install it.
Once installed, Antivirus 360 will be configured to start automatically when you start Windows. Once started, the program will perform a scan, and when done, will list a variety of legitimate or nonexistent files as infections that cannot be removed unless you first purchase the program. What is so dangerous about these scan results is that the files that Antivirus 360 states are infections are actually legitimate Microsoft files, that if deleted, will cause Windows to become unusable. Therefore, if someone believes the results from this program they may manually delete the files thinking they are infections and cause their computer to no longer function. Some files that it states are infections are:C:WindowsSystem32svchost.exe
C:WindowsSystem32alg.exe
While running you will also see a constant barrage of false security alerts stating that your computer has a variety of security risks. These risks range from files being modified to private data being sent to a remote host. These alerts, though, are false and are only being shown to further scare you into thinking your infected, when in fact the Antivirus 360 program is the actual infection. Unfortunately, these alerts coupled with the Vundo Trojan will affect your computer's performance and you will notice that it begins to operate slower.
Full Story: How to remove Antivirus 360 (Uninstall Instructions)
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Dec 7, 2007
guys im a nu user of Vista bought a new Lappy Hp dv6502au and be4 was usin.Windows Xp and Kaspersky Internet security 7 was best wat suld i use for my Vista ?
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Feb 17, 2009
So did you hear about the new XP Police antivirus?
Its coming out from the same egg as of Antivirus 360 and antivirus 2009.
Has anyone faced with this new XP police antivirus yet?
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Aug 16, 2008
I encountered some strange system behavior. I have to ask if there is such a thing as VISTA ANTIVIRUS 2008 and if there is does it look like this: .I haven't installed it and until today I have not seen it.
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Jun 27, 2006
Ive been using AVAST and it works great. And Free.
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Mar 23, 2008
I need a free antivirus program that I can leave disabled and one that I don't have to disable everytime I start up the ol laptop. I'm using Vista and I have tried AVG, AntiVir, and Avast!, none of which will let me permanently disable on startup.I need an antivirus program (who doesn't?), but I do not need one running all the time.
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Aug 13, 2006
Although many people have posted about this. I just thought I would put it were it should be. Avast 4.7 works with Vista x64 although no manual updates, so Im told
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Nov 29, 2009
its affected the guest account on my desktop and i tried in sites and still fails. desktop hides, cant access my antivirus,cant get to task manager and things like that.
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Jan 2, 2009
This is going to sound dumb when installing a new anti virus do you install and update the new then uninstall the old or the other way around? The old is Norton 360 the new will be either AVG 8.0 FREE or Avast 4 HOME any opinions on which one will be helpful.
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May 24, 2009
As soon as i got my custom HP laptop, i unstalled Norton anti-virus, it is a total piece of crap that eats up my ram etc, etc... But, i do need an anti-virus program
To stop the little bubble thing to stop coming out from the taskbar at start up, i selected the option thati would monitor my own systesm secruity.. All i really have as a sure way of defense is Windows Defender. it is worling great so-far, worst thing i've gotten was a Trojan Downloader, quickley removed, and i only got it from a fake website that looked like Adobe Flash-Player Updater's site But, i need something that is free, and wont demolish my computer speed, But can get the job done!
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Sep 14, 2008
Can an antivirus software be infected with virus? Why do I often get frequent virus alerts when my antivirus scanners report my system is clean?
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May 24, 2009
I'm currently running McAfee Internet Security. Yesterday I was talking to my computer tech who said he didn't like McAfee and recommended the free version of AVG and windows Firewall.
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Jun 5, 2008
I am using AVG 8.0 free antivirus on my Vista laptop...When I went to the Vista Security center, it said that McAfee antivirus was on...I uninstalled it when I 1st got my laptop so I could use AVG free(it was version 7.5) then....how can McAfee antivirus be on if it's not installed on my laptop??? I check the add/remove programs, and it didn't show up...just wondering...doesn't seem like a big deal, but just making sure..
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Apr 14, 2008
I had something come up on my screen warning me about 2 trojans and I need to install XP antivirus protection..is this part of windows? It is trojan MYtob.mailer and Zlob.z. Is this for real? It has the microsoft logo, and looks official, but I'm always a bit skeptical of these things..I was afraid to click on install, not knowing what it was. I thought it would have already been installed. I have Vista.
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Apr 13, 2008
Would anyone happen to be able to recommend an all in one antivirus, firewall, etc. that works with Vista well and doesnt have problems on the OS and also runs without using a lot of memory? I have Norton 360 v2 and System Mechanic 7 Pro, and i'm stuck on which or if either should be used on Vista?
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Jun 5, 2009
Lets have a poll so that any member having this question can see what others have opted for... P.S.: No lenghty explanations. Its just a poll to see what people prefer.
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