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Viruses have always been a problem but now they are not just destructive but they are attacking PC computers and have also started in on the Apple computers. Their main goal is to scam you out of your money. It will not just be obvious and delete all of your files, which some of the new most recent viruses do. It can also lock you out of your own computer, block and send emails, disable your internet and if you use an e-mail client such as Outlook Express, Outlook, Windows Mail, Windows Live Mail, etc. it can spread to friends, family and business customers and associates!

These viruses are made by intelligent people and are intelligent programs. They will take your computer hostage unt il you pay the hacker to remove it. It is illegal however, most of the new hackers usually live in other countries where the US has no jurisdiction, from Siberia to Amsterdam. This is a real business to them not just for kicks.

On this page are screenshots provided by Microsoft of today’s fastest spreading viruses. These programs are a new breed of malicious software called scareware. If you have read my blog it covered most of this but it is important to stay up to date.

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These programs use stealth methods to hijack your computer. They will claim that you are infected with multiple high-risk threats, have serious errors, and tell you you’re under attack by hackers. It will then prompt repeatedly to “upgrade to full/pro version of this fake protection for random prices starting as low as $29.99 and we have seen them as high as $149.99″. The following information was recently provided by Microsoft.

Watch out for fake virus alerts

Rogue security software, also known as "scareware," is software that appears to be beneficial from a security perspective but provides limited or no security, generates erroneous or misleading alerts, or attempts to lure users into participating in fraudulent transactions.

How does rogue security software get on my computer?

Rogue security software designers Created legitimate looking pop-up windows that advertise security update software. These windows might appear on your screen while you surf the web. The "updates" or "alerts" in the pop-up windows call for you to take some sort of action, such as clicking to install the software, accept recommended updates, or remove unwanted viruses or spyware. When you click, the rogue security software downloads to your computer. Rogue security software might also appear in the list of search results when you are searching for trustworthy antispyware software, so it is important to protect your computer.

What does rogue security software do?

Rogue security software might report a virus, even though your computer is actually clean. The software might also fail to report viruses when your computer is infected. Inversely, sometimes, when you download rogue security software, it will install a virus or other malicious software on your computer so that the software has something to detect.

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Some rogue security software might also:

Rogue security software might also attempt to spoof the Microsoft security update process. Here's an example of rogue security software that's disguised as a Microsoft alert but that doesn't come from Microsoft.

To the left is an example of a warning from a rogue security program known as AntivirusXP.

To help protect yourself from rogue security software:

  • Lure you into a fraudulent transaction (for example, upgrading to a non-existent paid version of a program)
  • Use social engineering to steal your personal information
  • Install malware that can go undetected as it steals your data
  • Launch pop-up windows with false or misleading alerts
  • Slow your computer or corrupt files
  • Disable Windows updates or disable updates to legitimate antivirus software
  • Prevent you from visiting antivirus vendor websites
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Example of a warning from a rogue security program known as AntivirusXP.

For more information about this threat, including analysis, prevention and recovery, see the Trojan:Win32/Antivirusxp entry in the Microsoft Malware Protection Center encyclopedia. Here is the legitimate Microsoft Windows Security Center: Screenshot of legitimate Microsoft Windows Security Center.

To help protect yourself from rogue security software:

  • Install a firewall and keep it turned on.
  • Use automatic updating to keep your operating system and software up to date.
  • Install antivirus and antispyware software such and keep it updated. For real protection we can help.
  • If your antivirus software does not include antispyware software, you should install a separate antispyware program and keep it updated. Use caution when you click links in email or on social networking websites.
  • Use a standard user account instead of an administrator account.
  • Familiarize yourself with common phishing scams.

If you think you might have rogue security software on your computer:

Scan your computer. Use your antivirus software or do a free scan with the Microsoft Safety Scanner. The safety scanner checks for and removes viruses, eliminates junk on your hard drive, and improves your PC's performance.

Check your accounts. If you think you might have entered sensitive information, such as credit card numbers or passwords into a pop-up window or at a rogue security software site, you should monitor your associated accounts. For additional information, see Email and web scams: How to help protect yourself.

If you suspect that your computer is infected with rogue security software that is currently not detected we can help.

If you already have a virus and need help getting it out of your machine contact us here at Belltech. It isn’t just install a program and scan for removal.

Removing today’s virus software is difficult. The first thing a virus does is shut down any security programs you may have and some will even hide all of your documents, pictures, even your entire desktop. If this happens to you, stop using the machine and bring it to Belltech or call if you need assistance with getting the machine to the shop.

Belltech Computer Solutions can ensure full removal of all viruses, spyware, malware, trojans, worms, scareware, and other malicious threats.

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