Rogue & Fake AntiVirus Programs
Adam | March 3, 2009 | 8:55 pmThe most recent and prevalent threat to everyday computer users is Rogue programs that force their way onto your computer. This malicious software or malware usually poses as a trial version of an anti-virus or ‘system cleaner’ program. The trial (malware) program typically find its way onto your system with help of Trojan backdoor viruses.
Once installed, this type of malware has one prominent goal: getting the user to pay for the full version. Systems infected will be adversely effected immediately. These programs will notify you repeatedly of false-positive infections or system errors. Various functions of normal Windows operation will no longer work. Many times internet access will be limited or disabled, the desktop background may be changed to some form of colorful warning. Some more severe infections will only allow you to purchase the software, halting your system entirely. This is the result of additional malware being downloaded and installed by the Rogue program.
If the Rogue has progressed to this point, the user will certainly know it. Unfortunately, standard ways of scanning and removing the infection with Anti-Virus software will not be successful or even possible.
Contact Us immediately if you believe your system is infected!
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Below is a list of all the Rogue malware that we have encountered and removed at South Lake Computers to date:
• Antivirus 2008
• Antivirus 2009
• Antivirus 2010 (also known as Anti-virus-1)
• Antivirus 360
• AntivirusPro2009
• AntiVirus Gold
• Antivirus Master
• Antivirus XP 2008
• Ascentive
• EasySpywareCleaner
• Errorsafe
• free-viruscan.com
• FinallyFast.com (Sock Puppet of Ascentive)
• GreenAV2009
• IE Antivirus
• IEDefender
• MalwareAlarm
• MS Antivirus
• MS AntiSpyware 2009
• PC-Antispyware
• PCSecureSystem
• PC Antispy
• PC Clean Pro
• Perfect Cleaner
• Perfect Defender 2009
• PersonalAntiSpy Free
• Premium-Antivirus-Defence
• Smart Antivirus 2008
• Smart Antivirus 2009
• SpyGuard
• Spyware Cleaner
• SpywareGuard 2008
• Spyware Protect 2009
• System anti virus 2008
• SpySheriff
• Total Secure 2009
• UltimateCleaner
• VirusHeat
• Virus Trigger
• Vista Antivirus 2008
• WinAntiVirus Pro 2006
• WinDefender
• WinFixer
• WinSpywareProtect
• XP Antivirus
• XP AntiSpyware 2009
Many Rogues are the same basic infection type. The makers simply change their name, logo and the way the program looks. However, some are far more difficult to remove.