Rogue viruses

The worm scans the infected computer for files, such as address books or temporary webpages, that contain email addresses. The worm uses the addresses to send infected email messages, and frequently mimics or spoofs the "From" addresses in later email messages so that those infected messages seem to be from someone you know. Worms then spread automatically through email messages, networks, or operating system vulnerabilities, frequently overwhelming those systems before the cause is known.

Worms aren't always destructive to computers, but they usually cause computer and network performance and stability problems. A trojan horse is a malicious software program that hides inside other programs.

It enters a computer hidden inside a legitimate program, such as a screen saver. Then it puts code into the operating system that enables a hacker to access the infected computer. Trojan horses do not usually spread by themselves. They are spread by viruses, worms, or downloaded software.

Spyware can install on your computer without your knowledge. Spyware can track Internet search habits and can also redirect your web browser to a different website than you intend to go to.

A rogue security software program tries to make you think that your computer is infected by a virus and usually prompts you to download or buy a product that removes the virus.

The names of these products frequently contain words like Antivirus, Shield, Security, Protection, or Fixer. This makes them sound legitimate. They frequently run right after you download them, or the next time that your computer starts. Rogue security software can prevent applications, such as Internet Explorer, from opening. Rogue security software might also display legitimate and important Windows files as infections.

Typical error messages or pop-up messages might contain the following phrases:. Do not click anything inside the dialog box. Are you sure you want to navigate from this page? Your computer is infected! They can cause data lost and file corruption and need to be treated as soon as possible. Return to System Security and download it to secure your PC. Press OK to Continue or Cancel to stay on the current page.

For more information see Protect yourself from tech support scams. Removing a computer virus or spyware can be difficult without the help of malicious software removal tools. Some computer viruses and other unwanted software reinstall themselves after the viruses and spyware are detected and removed.

Fortunately, by updating the computer and by using malicious software removal tools, you can help permanently remove unwanted software. For more information about how to remove a computer virus and spyware, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: - Microsoft resources and guidance for removal of malware and viruses. Note A computer virus may prevent you from accessing the Microsoft Update website to install the latest updates.

We recommend that you set the Automatic Updates service to run automatically so that a computer is not missing any important updates. Microsoft offers a free online tool that scans and helps remove potential threats from your computer.

To perform the scan, go to the Microsoft Safety Scanner website. Note the name of the rogue security software. For this example, we'll call it XP Security Agent When you are prompted, use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Networking , and then press Enter. Click the Start button and check whether the rogue security software appears on the Start menu. If it's not listed there, click All Programs and scroll to find the rogue security software's name.

Best Antivirus Software. Best Malware Protection. Best Virus Protection. Check Disk. Coreguard Antivirus Data Recovery 2. Data Recovery. Data Restore. Defence Center. Defense Center. Desktop Security Primary. Digital Protection.

E-set Antivirus Earth Antivirus. Easy Scan. Eclipse Antivirus. Eco Antivirus. ErrorSafe a WinFixer Variant. File Restore. FileFix Professional General Antivirus Vista. General Antivirus. Ghost Antivirus. Green AV Full Archive. Guard Pro. HDD Control. HDD OK. HDD Plus. Hard Drive Diagnostic.

Hoax Topantispyware DesktopHijack. Home Safety Essentials. Internet Antivirus 1. Internet Antivirus Internet Antivirus Pro. Internet Security Internet Security Essentials Eval. Internet Security Essentials. Internet Security Guard. Live Enterprise Suite. Live Protection Suite Live Security Suite Vista.

Live Security Suite. Macatte Antivirus Malware Destructor Malware Destructor 4. Malware Doctor FakeMaDoc. MalwareRemoval BOT. My Security Engine. Nortel Antivirus. Omega Antivir. PC Defender PC Defender English Crack. PC Live Guard. PC Protection Center PC Security Paladin Antivirus.

Perfect Defender Personal Antivirus InternetAntivirus. Personal Internet Security Privacy Watcher. Protection Center. RST Antivirus Raze Desktophijack Danger Spyware. Registry Doktor 4. Safety Anti-Spyware. Security Security Central FakeSpyPro. Security Central. Security Defender Defmid. The bad news is that the rogue antivirus software itself is on your computer and you must remove it.

Other things that may be disrupted by the rogue software include being unable to visit reputable and valid anti-virus and malware Web sites, being able to install legitimate antivirus software and also being unable to access your desktop. The rogue software wants to stop users from removing the program and proceeding with the purchase instead. The reason these rogue anti-virus programs are successful for the malicious coders is because the warning screens very closely resemble legitimate Windows warning screens, plus the rouge software program names closely resemble or sound like legitimate antivirus programs.

When you load an infected website you might see a warning screen pop up and think that it is a legitimate Windows warning. Users unknowingly are tricked into downloading the software because they believe the warning to be a legitimate Windows messages. You might also be on a Web site trying to view a video and a screen may pop-up telling you that you need to download a codec to view the file.

The window prompting you to download the codec looks legitimate, however you are not going to download a codec instead you will receive one of the many rogue antivirus software programs. In April of this year, it was also reported that systems that had been previously infected with Conficker , found this worm had began installing rogue antivirus programs on infected machines.

In the early cases this turned out to be a rogue application called SpywareProtect Lastly, if you use file sharing networks you also risk downloading a rogue antivirus as it can be easily hidden inside a legitimate program that you may or may not be legitimately downloading. For the most part, you need to look at the windows that are popping up and the name of the program being shown.

If you know the program name of the antivirus and spyware software you use, then seeing a different name in the warning window is the first clue. Legitimate warnings on your system would come from the anti-virus program you have installed, not a random Windows operating system style pop-up window. A great resource for learning how to spot these malicious programs through fake warning messages can be found on bleepingcomputer.

This page lists the text of some of the more common false warning screens, including the following:. Malware Cleaner: Trojan detected! A piece of malicious code was found in your system that can replicate itself if no action is taken.

Click here to have your system cleaned by Malware Cleaner. Your computer is infected with spyware. It could damage your critical files or expose your private data on the Internet.

It can be a difficult task to get rogue anti-virus programs off your computer. To complicate the matter, there are many variations of this malicious program and not all variants can be removed in the same way. This is not something that novice computer users may be able to deal with on their own. Also, due to the popularity of these infections and people searching for answers on how to remove the program a number of scam programs also exist that lead users to believe it will remove the infection.

Yes, these programs that claim to rid your system of Antivirus or whichever variant you have been infected with will scan your system and then prompt you for a credit card number so you can download a full version to remove the infection. Sound familiar? It should.