Beware, some of the programs touted as 'antivirus' software are in actual fact fraudulent programs! This is what many have come to learn the hard way after unwittingly installing these fraudulent pieces of software, which employ tricks ranging from 'false positives' (reporting viruses when non exist) to the exploitation of system security leaks to gain entry into your computer. Once installed, they wreck havoc in the computer, with effects ranging from irritating pop-ups, which you can ignore, to system-crippling effects like registry corruption. And attempts to uninstall them, especially manually, usually prove futile - or even dangerous - with the results of attempted uninstallation ranging from the program reinstalling itself once you reboot your system at best, to total damage of the system at worst, especially when you end up deleting sensitive system files while attempting to remove the rogue.
Here then, are five of the newest and currently most common culprits.
XP Antivirus 2008
XP Antivirus 2008 is not Microsoft's new security solution. It is actually a rogue anti-spyware, meant to milk money from you if you happen to be gullible. It gains entry into your system by tricking you into believing that it is a genuine Antivirus program, hence getting you to download it and manually install it. It can also get into your system without any action on your part, by exploiting security leaks in your browser, or as a part of another genuinely useful 'freeware' application you download and install from the Internet.
Once installed, XP Antivirus 2008 keeps on generating irritating pop-ups informing you that your computer is infected (with other imaginary or real viruses) and that you need to buy its full version to get rid of them. XP antivirus 2008 has also been known to take control of victim's browsers, redirecting them to websites they don't request, often websites of an adult theme. Like all viruses, XP Antivirus 2008 is certain to you're your computer down due to its quite heavy system resource requirements.
Attempts to remove it often prove futile, with parts of the program always remaining behind, only for them to manifest later through those irritating pop-ups. It is advisable to use reputable anti-spyware programs, if one is to get rid of this rogue effectively. And to protect yourself from future infections of these types of malware, don't download software ? free or otherwise ? from websites you don't fully trust.
Antivirus Protector
Don't be fooled by the name. Far from protecting you, Antivirus protector will actually slow down your computer and irritate you with persistent pop-ups ? and your resist attempts to remove it. It usually gets into your system by inadvertent invitation, that is, by your unwitting click on its advert in websites that promote it. Installation starts immediately you click on the pop-up that follows your clicking the advert, regardless of whether you answer yes or no to the question of whether you want to install it.
Once installed, Antivirus protector manifests through false scans that warn you that you are infected (with other dangerous viruses) and that you need to buy it or related software to remove the infection. It slows down your computer's speed, because it is always running 'behind the scenes'. Antivirus protector is also known to hijack your browser, often declaring itself as your home page or redirecting your browsing sessions to its website, or those of other rogue software related to it.
The biggest problem is in removing it, especially manually, because traces of it somehow masquerade and manage to be left behind. The best way to go round this problem is by the employment of a reputable Antivirus program. Because Antivirus Protector usually gets into your system through a popup, it is good practice to adjust your computer's browser settings to bar pop-ups.
Antivirus 2008 / Antivirus 2009
Like most rogue anti-spyware programs, Antivirus 2008/2009 gets into your computer innocently, usually as a Trojan accompanying genuine freeware.
Antivirus 2008/2009 usually works through false virus scans, which always give the result that your computer is dangerously infected, and that you need to buy its commercial version to effectively deal with the infection. Of course Antivirus 2008/2009 does not run any real scans, and neither can it deter or remove any viral infections. Other signs of Antivirus 2008/2009 infection include slowed computer performance as well as the regular - and irritating - advertorial pop-ups.
You have the option of removing Antivirus 2008/2009 manually or employing a reputable antispyware program. Manual removal is risky though, as it involves tampering with sensitive parts of the computer system, including the registry, which could very easily cripple -- or even kill -- your computer.
Vista Antivirus 2008
Vista Antivirus 2008 is mostly transmitted as a video codec via email attachments, through innocent websites affiliated to it, or as an unseen part of freeware downloaded and installed from the web.
Once installed, Vista Antivirus 2008 manifests through pop-up windows and regular scan results, warning you of a discovered viral threat, which can only be averted by employing its full (commercial) version. Of course the threat is false, and Vista Antivirus, cannot protect your computer or heal it of any viruses. It also slows down your computers performance by hijacking system resources like memory and disk space.
You have the option of removing Vista Antivirus 2008 manually or using reputable anti-spyware tools. Manual removal involves very radical computer surgery, and is certainly not recommended unless one is an ultra-expert.
IE Antivirus
Don't be deceived by the initials. IE Antivirus has absolutely nothing to do with Internet Explorer, but is in fact a rogue anti-spyware, meant to ultimately get you to part with your money. IE Antivirus could quietly download into your system as you browse an innocent looking website. IE Antivirus can also come in through an email attachment or as a part of freeware.
Once installed, you will notice your computer slacking in speed. This is immediately followed by regular genuine looking notifications informing you of 'serious security holes' in your system - and advising you to buy the full (commercial) version of IE Antivirus to patch it up. IE Antivirus has been known to interfere with your Internet browser's settings while also creating strange files and short-cuts on the desktop. All these tricks are meant to make you believe that your computer is indeed seriously infected and needs the full version of IE Antivirus, which comes at a premium. Of course the threats are false, and IE Antivirus is of absolutely no use to you.
As with all rogue anti-spyware programs, you have the option of removing it manually or using a reputable anti-spyware application to get rid of it. Manual removal is an elaborate process, which involves deletion of registry files, some of which could be essential to your computer's continued functioning. For this reason, automated removal with REAL anti-spyware programs is recommended.
Keeping an eye out for these and other rogue Antivirus programs will help ensure that your computer remains safe. When downloading any Antivirus software directly from the internet (ones you buy from the store or generally pretty safe), it is vital you make sure that it comes from a reputable source and that it has extensive positive reviews from other satisfied users.
The Best Antivirus Programs
The high consumption of memory by viral processes can cause system crashes. This is because operating systems are programmed to dump memory and restart the computer when programs start sending out error messages that they are unable to run properly due to inaccessible memory.
Viruses are sometimes used interchangeably with other terms describing malicious software ? shortened to malware ? although viruses are designed to function differently from other types of malware. Trojans, for example, are designed to embed itself on the operating system and open a backdoor through which remote access to the infected computer is facilitated.
Because of their damaging effects to computers, several companies have produced antivirus software. Antivirus software is designed to detect the presence of viruses within your system, as well as from outside. But how exactly do these software find and locate viruses lurking within your computer?
The Different Approaches Used by Antivirus Software
Antivirus software utilize different approaches to detect viruses while scouring among your computer files. These approaches include the dictionary, suspicious behavior and sandbox techniques.
The Dictionary Approach
Under the dictionary approach, the software scans the source code for each file and compares it to a dictionary containing pieces of code associated with computer viruses. When a file's code contains any code snippets within the dictionary, the software then tags the file as infected. Depending on what the user has set, the computer can either attempt to make repairs by removing the code, quarantine it or delete the file itself.
Because this approach makes use of a dictionary, there is a need to continually update the dictionary in order to include new virus definitions. This is to ensure that the user is continually protected against any new viruses that are released into the wild especially in the Internet.
The dictionary approach is the most common technique in detecting potential threats, and is utilized by most commercial antivirus programs in the market.
Suspicious Behavior
On the other hand, the suspicious behavior approach does not make use of any dictionary to find viruses. Instead it watches how programs within the system are behaving. Some viruses are known to replicate themselves by inserting their code into other executable files that it can find among the computer's files. If the antivirus program detects this, under the suspicious behavior approach the code-modifying file is then tagged as suspicious and is flagged. The user is then alerted to the presence of this file.
Sandboxing
The sandbox approach involves a simulation by the antivirus software of the operating system in order for it to access every executable file and run it. The sandbox protects the actual system while the scanning takes place, and acts as a buffer which the antivirus software can analyze for indications of the presence of a virus.
Both Ms Mindy Matter & Mikael Andersohn are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Ms Mindy Matter has sinced written about articles on various topics from Malware, Online Business and Software. By Mindy Matter for http://www.removeadware.com.au/ - Here you'll learn about online privacy and how to remove rogue programs:. Ms Mindy Matter's top article generates over 4400 views. Bookmark Ms Mindy Matter to your Favourites.
Mikael Andersohn has sinced written about articles on various topics from Network Marketing, Internet Marketing and Travel and Leisure. Are you living in the Philippines and wishing to buy or sell something within your area? Business opportunities await you, so come and visit MyMarket.ph.. Mikael Andersohn's top article generates over 60500 views. Bookmark Mikael Andersohn to your Favourites.
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