How to Spot a Rogue Antivirus (Fake Security Software)?
March 11, 2009 Computer Safety Tip
The biggest threats in terms of computer security are scammers, identity thieves and hackers. Thus Awareness and 
Alertness in terms of cyber security certainly could lead to eliminating security threats, moreover in terms of Rogue antivirus applications.
- Scam Artists or Malware designers sponsor and promote rogue security applications or fake antivirus through malicious websites in order for financial gains.
- The authors play malicious tactics in the name of a free virus scanner. This is misleading and tricks the user.
- Rogue antivirus tactics force users into purchasing the legal version of fake scanners. Rogue antispyware typically sponsors weak links diverting to malicious sites and further downloading malware, virus and spywares.
- These fake antivirus/spyware programs generate recurrent pop-up alert messages in terms of virus alerts and even the System can get flooded with pop-ups even if the user is off line, in forms of advertising. (adware).
- The symptoms of rogue antispyware include computer slow down, the system can sometimes crash and cause browser corruption i.e. it even manipulates browser settings and even desktop shortcuts.
- Signs of infection may include rebooting of computer, automatically downloading of any software from the weak links, new wall papers flooding the desktop and redirecting the home page to another site.
- Porn site URLs always flooding the system.
- Sometimes secondary memory or boot sector corruption, which prevents further booting of computer.
- If installed or downloaded, the computer’s performance gets worse in terms of speed and even the internet connection can become slow.
