These are a couple of samples of the fake software. There are many variations, but this gives you and idea of what they look like. Note the shield and how similar to Microsoft's Security Warning it looks like.
I have had a larger number of Win Antivirus and Antispyware 2009 infections in the shop lately, and I wanted to give you a few tips on how to avoid this junk on your computer.The interesting thing is that most of the computers have had valid Antivirus Software, and the Virus still got on the computer. The problem is we say something is OK, and our Antivirus just assumes you want it, even though there may have been a warning, or maybe no warning.
What is this stuff anyway?
Antivirus 2009 and Antispyware 2009 are not real programs. They act like they are going to help you, and when you pay the fee, they are just smoke and mirrors. The program pops up over and over and says you have hundreds upon hundreds of horrible bad stuff, and they are going to do a scan to clean up your computer.
These fake programs use trojans, such as Zlob or Vundo, to spread. These viruses have been around for a while and are really common in the infected computers I work on.
Where does it come from?
Sometimes the viruses come from porn sites or what are called as Warez sites (free illegal software) or other illegally downloaded music/programs/movies. Even though it is very common to come from a place like this, there are a lot of other seemingly innocent ways.
Many viruses can come from files downloaded on Filesharing programs such as Limewire, Bearshare and eDonkey. These is called P2P, or Peer to Peer software. Many people are using this method to share movies/music/software illegally with others, and in turn, others share their stuff with you, including viruses. This is all under the guise of sharing legally, but no one really pays for the stuff and it is a way to get free stuff.
Another way some of the Bogus Antivirus programs show up is on a "drive by." You go to a site you think is ok, and the message pops up, and it looks like a real antivirus message from your antivirus program.
But if you look closely, you will see that it is not. It is really just a pop up ad, that when you click on it, you are essentially downloading the virus. Dawn had one of these pop up on her desktop, and it was just that, a pop up ad that looked just like a security warning. We did the procedures below, and did a full scan, and thankfully we never actually got the virus.
The so-called program shows hundreds or viruses on your computer. It even acts like it is doing a scan, and then says you need to pay to get rid of the stuff. It is all a scam. Once they get your money, that is it. There is no antivirus program. It does nothing for you, but mess up your computer, and make your pockets lighter if you fall for it.
How to avoid getting it
If you get a message like this suddenly, check it out carefully. It should say Trend Micro or Norton, AVG, or whatever your antivirus program name is on the top or somewhere on the window. If it does not, here is what you do. The window will have the look and feel of a real program. I have included screen shots of what some look like.
First off, DO NOT click on the window at all. Many times the buttons are disguised as to what they will do, and usually clicking on it will attempt to download the problem onto your computer. Even the handy X for exit or other buttons may activate it.
Hit Control+Alt+Del and bring up the task manager. Look at the running applications, and there should be one that is Internet Explorer, or one that says the name of the program Win Antivir 2009. Click on that and click on End Task.
Then disconnect from the internet (easiest way is to unplug your modem from the wall power). Then run a "FULL" scan of your computer and make sure you do not have any Trojans. If you do this, at the first sign, you may have never gotten the virus on your computer, but it was more of a pop up ad/scam to get you to put it on your computer. This is what happened to Dawn, and thankfully she caught it right away.
Also if you have CCleaner on your computer, run that to remove all your Temp files and Temporary Internet files. These are not needed and they are a place where the bad stuff likes to hide. Click here to get CCleaner.
I run this monthly on my computer and would suggest the same for you.
Downloading Tip
One last thing on downloading anything, including this Ccleaner. You have to watch what is on the page, and not click on the DOWNLOAD buttons that are for other stuff. It can be very confusing, and even with all my experience, when I am in a hurry, I have clicked on the wrong thing, and downloaded something I did not want. Clicking on these buttons that look like what you want, can give you a lot of other junk you do not want or need.
One of the things sites have done now, is when you click on download, it goes to the next page, saying your download is starting. While you are waiting (a wait done on purpose by the way) you are presented with a screen which says DOWNLOAD Now! If you look carefully, that is for something different, maybe similar, but not what you are trying to download.
Wait a minute, and usually you will see the bar light up across the top of your browser saying "To help protect your security, IE has blocked this site from downloading... Click here for options." That yellow bar on the top is where you download the file from. Click on the bar, and then save the file to your computer.
If a download button or pop up window says it will help you speed up your computer, check your computer, clean up your computer, make your bed, clean your registry or any other great claim, completely avoid it unless a reputable source recommends it and has tested it themselves.
Remember, up to date antivirus software and up to date windows security updates are both key to helping you out here.
One of the things sites have done now, is when you click on download, it goes to the next page, saying your download is starting. While you are waiting (a wait done on purpose by the way) you are presented with a screen which says DOWNLOAD Now! If you look carefully, that is for something different, maybe similar, but not what you are trying to download.
Wait a minute, and usually you will see the bar light up across the top of your browser saying "To help protect your security, IE has blocked this site from downloading... Click here for options." That yellow bar on the top is where you download the file from. Click on the bar, and then save the file to your computer.
If a download button or pop up window says it will help you speed up your computer, check your computer, clean up your computer, make your bed, clean your registry or any other great claim, completely avoid it unless a reputable source recommends it and has tested it themselves.
Remember, up to date antivirus software and up to date windows security updates are both key to helping you out here.
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