DO NOT download or even click on Personal Security, Personal AntiVirus, Cyber Security, Total Security, Vista Internet Security, AV Security Suite, Windows Security Center. Peak Protection 2010, Virus Doctor, ThinkPoint Security… or any other Internet popup that promises to fix your PC errors…these are all malware infectious files.
“Personal Security is a misleading anti-spyware application that displays fake security alerts/pop-ups and reports false system security threats or infections to scare you into thinking that your computer is infected with malicious software. Personal Security is a clone of widely spread Cyber Security and Total Security malware. The rogue program simulates a system scan and asks to pay for a full version of Personal Security in order to remove non-exist infections. In fact, the reported security threats or infections are actually either non-existing/harmless files or legitimate software. This malware will likely block real security software to protect itself from being deleted. Most importantly, do not purchase this bogus application and uninstall Personal Security from your computer as soon as possible.”
Virus Doctor is another rogue anti-spyware application. Usually, this parasite is advertised by trojan viruses. They constantly load pop-up windows with fake information about system security risks. When user tries to close those bothersome pop-up windows he is automatically redirected to a fake online anti-spyware scan page. Counterfeit online scan also states that user's system has numerous security threats that has to be removed quickly. They suggest to use VirusDoctor anti-spyware as reliable and effective spyware removal tool.
Once installed, Virus Doctor is configured to run automatically when computer starts up. Then it performs fast system scan without user's permission and reports numerous infections. VirusDoctor claims that these infections can not be removed with trial version. User has to purchase a full copy of Virus Doctor if he is willing to have a clean system. Don't be simple-hearted and reject this scam. Full version of this rogue won't help you to remove infections, because the only infection that are present on the system is Virus Doctor itself and should be removed as soon as possible.
These are extremely difficult and time consuming to remove from your system, so be very vigilant and contact Ron at Computer Concepts & Solutions if you suspect infection.
Security Spotlight: A Closer Look at Malicious Trojans
Knowledge is power—knowing more about what the high-tech vandals are up to can give you a powerful defense against their tactics.
This part of the series takes a closer look at one particularly insidious type of malware often used in identify theft schemes, trojans.
What is a trojan?
Trojans are programs that appear to be useful, but they intentionally run malicious and destructive functions. Unlike viruses, trojans are not designed to make copies of themselves and spread to other users, but trojans can carry viruses and other malware within them.
A little history
The term "Trojan horse" was created to describe programs that appeared useful but were not what they seemed—the name is based on a story from Greek mythology where soldiers, hiding inside of a wooden Trojan horse, were able to sneak into Troy and conquer the city.
Trojan horses, now often referred to as "trojans" for short, have been around since at least the 1970s—Pervading Animal, a trojan that disguised itself as a guessing game, appeared in 1975 and is considered to be the first trojan.
Trojans of today
While trojans predate the internet (early trojans were distributed on 3.5" floppies), the advent of the web led to an explosion in the number of trojans being created and distributed. Criminals now take advantage of the internet's widespread use to lure us into installing trojans—free web downloads and social networking sites are the popular targets of today.
Where do trojans come from?
Trojans can come from many places: web downloads, email attachments, CDs—all the same ways that you get legitimate programs. Unfortunately, it's easy to be tricked into installing a trojan because it looks like the program will serve a beneficial and valid purpose. And because of the stealthy code built into their design, trojans can also attach themselves to legitimate programs, and the software developers themselves aren't aware of it.
What do trojans do?
The effects of trojans can range from persistently annoying to permanently devastating. Users have reported everything from the constant display of ads, to the theft of their banking information, to the destruction of every file on their computer. Two particularly damaging types of trojans are:
FUN WEB Products and MY WEB SEARCH
Avoid downloading these annoying but fairly benign products that promise to speed up and enhance your browsing experience.
My Web Search also known as the My Way Speedbar is the Internet Explorer toolbar part of the Fun Web Products suite of utilities such as Smiley Central, Cursor Mania, My Mail Stationary, My Mail Signature, PopSwatter, Popular Screensavers, Webfetti, and the My Way website portal
. The toolbar claims to allow easy access to search engine results and a 404 Error Redirector called My Total Search among other things to your browser.
Although none of these products claim to be spyware, they do slow your computer down. All of the products use cookies to track usage, although they claim not to use cookies or anything else to track personally identifiable information.
FunWebProducts is an operation of a company called IWon. Its software - a Web application - is essentially yet another piece of adware (often mistakenly called spyware although that is arguably a related subgenre).
FunWebProducts is notable because it acquired a large user population with remarkable speed. Iwon is responsible for a series of notorious adware products including IWon, iWon Co-Pilot, iWon Search Assistant, and MySearch/MyWeb.
The apparent reason for the surge in popularity is that the FunWebProducts code is built into a number of "free" products offered by the same company. These products include Smiley Central, PopSwatter, My Mail Signature, My Mail Stationery, My Mail Stamp, Cursor Mania - all but the last tool (which is a cursor chooser) are "enhancements" for e-mail. By dint of widespread advertising FunWebProducts has managed to sucker thousands of naïve end users into running its software.
Be very vigilant when downloading anything for free that promises the world….remember the old saying”if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is!”
]]>
Part of iolo's ongoing series exposing malicious software
|
|
Knowledge is power—knowing more about what the high-tech vandals are up to can give you a powerful defense against their tactics.
This part of the series takes a closer look at one particularly insidious type of malware often used in identify theft schemes, trojans.
Trojans are programs that appear to be useful, but they intentionally run malicious and destructive functions. Unlike viruses, trojans are not designed to make copies of themselves and spread to other users, but trojans can carry viruses and other malware within them.
A little history
The term "Trojan horse" was created to describe programs that appeared useful but were not what they seemed—the name is based on a story from Greek mythology where soldiers, hiding inside of a wooden Trojan horse, were able to sneak into Troy and conquer the city.
Trojan horses, now often referred to as "trojans" for short, have been around since at least the 1970s—Pervading Animal, a trojan that disguised itself as a guessing game, appeared in 1975 and is considered to be the first trojan.
Trojans of today
While trojans predate the internet (early trojans were distributed on 3.5" floppies), the advent of the web led to an explosion in the number of trojans being created and distributed. Criminals now take advantage of the internet's widespread use to lure us into installing trojans—free web downloads and social networking sites are the popular targets of today.
Some infamous trojans
In 1992 a group of students at Cornell University released Tetriscycle, a trojan masquerading as a computer game. This trojan, combined with other malware they distributed, disabled computers worldwide. Ten days after the attack, the students were found, arrested, and faced felony charges of computer tampering.
Trojans can come from many places: web downloads, email attachments, CDs—all the same ways that you get legitimate programs. Unfortunately, it's easy to be tricked into installing a trojan because it looks like the program will serve a beneficial and valid purpose. And because of the stealthy code built into their design, trojans can also attach themselves to legitimate programs, and the software developers themselves aren't aware of it.
The effects of trojans can range from persistently annoying to permanently devastating. Users have reported everything from the constant display of ads, to the theft of their banking information, to the destruction of every file on their computer. Two particularly damaging types of trojans are:
Only download trusted programs. Only download programs from web sites that you trust, or check a reputable source for information before you download. Just a few minutes of research can save you hours of heartache.
Be wary of free programs. Some disreputable sites offer free tools, such as web browser toolbars and screen savers, that are created with the sole intent of hiding trojans. Be particularly cautious when downloading free programs from unknown sources.
Viruses, spyware, worms, key loggers, and Trojans are examples of malware. If you click links that are disguised as images, audio, or video files which might appear on suspicious Web sites or in Instant Messages (IMs) or e-mail messages, you might expose your computer to malware. In some cases, malware can even be hidden in files that have been uploaded to reputable Web sites. Malware can:
]]>