What Are Rogue Anti Viruses?
1. Did I download this?
If you didn't install it on your own and it just showed up one day, it's probably a rogue. This happens via drive by download. A drive by download means a website finds an exploit on your Internet browser and downloads it without you knowing.
2. Did it do an online scan on your Internet browser even before you installed it?
Fake anti viruses often do a fake online scan, displaying fake threats and force you to install their program. If you ever see a pop up saying "Your computer may not be safe, install Personal Antivirus today to remove these threats!" do not click on yes or no or the x button on the pop up. Press ctrl alt del and find out what Internet browser your using and end the task.
3. After installation of the anti virus, did it change your background or your homepage?
Prior of showing you the fake results and it asking you to buy their product and you say no, it can change your background, your homepage and add new icons. It's all part of the scare tactic that makes you think that the 'viruses' you have are infecting your computer. Isn't it weird that those viruses only appeared after you install the anti virus?
4. What's the name of your anti virus?
According to Wikipedia.org, here's a list of every rogue anti virus. Please note that the links take you to the Wikipedia page, not the rogue anti virus website.
Advanced Cleaner[16]AlfaCleaner[17]AntiSpyCheck 2.1[18]AntiSpyStorm[19]AntiSpyware 2009[20]AntiSpyware Bot from 2Squared Software
AntiSpywareExpert[21]AntiSpywareMaster[22]AntiSpywareSuite[23]AntiSpyware Shield[24]Antivermins[25]Antivirgear[26]Antivirus 2008[27]Antivirus 2009[28]Antivirus 2010 (also known as Anti-virus-1)[29],[30]Antivirus 360[31]Antivirus Pro 2009[32]AntiVirus Gold[33]Antivirus Master[34]Antivirus System PROAntivirus XP 2008[35]Avatod Antispyware 8.0[36]Awola[37]Brave Sentry[38]BestsellerAntivirus[39]Cleanator[40]ContraVirus[41]Doctor Antivirus[42]Doctor Antivirus 2008[43]DriveCleaner[44]EasySpywareCleaner[45]Errorsafe[46]Green Antivirus 2009[47]IE Antivirus (aka IE Antivirus 3.2)[48]IEDefender[49]InfeStop[50]Internet Antivirus (aka Internet Antivirus Pro, distributed by plus4scan.com)[51]KVMSecure[52]MacSweeper[53]MalwareCrush[54]MalwareCore[55]MalwareAlarm[56]Malware Bell (a.k.a. Malware Bell 3.2)[57]Malware Defender (not to be confused with the HIPS firewall of the same name)[58]MS Antivirus[59]MS AntiSpyware 2009[60]MaxAntiSpy[61]Netcom3 Cleaner[62]PCSecureSystem[63]PC Antispy[64]PC AntiSpyWare 2010[65]PC Clean Pro[66]PC Privacy Cleaner[67]PestTrap[68]PerfectCleaner[69]Perfect Defender 2009[70]PersonalAntiSpy Free[71]Personal AntivirusPAL Spyware Remover[72]PCPrivacy Tools[73]PC Antispyware[74]PSGuard[75]Rapid AntiVirus[76]Real AntiVirus[77]Registry Great[78]Safety Alerter 2006[79]SaliarAR[80]SecurePCCleaner[81]Security Scan 2009[82]Security Toolbar 7.1[83]Smart Antivirus 2009[84]SpyAxe[85]Spy Away[86]SpyCrush[87]Spydawn[88]SpyGuarder[89]SpyHeal (a.k.a SpyHeals & VirusHeal)[90]SpyMarshal[91]Spylocked[92]SpySheriff[93]SpySpotter[94]SpywareBot (Spybot - Search & Destroy knockoff)[95]Spyware Cleaner[96]SpywareGuard 2008[97]Spyware Protect 2009[98]Spyware Quake[99]SpywareSheriff (often confused with SpySheriff)[100]Spyware Stormer[101]Spyware Striker Pro[102]Spyware Protect 2009[103]SpywareStrike[104]SpyRid[105]SpyWiper[106]System Antivirus 2008[107]System Live Protect[108]SystemDoctor[109]System Security[110]Total Secure 2009[111]TrustedAntivirus[112]TheSpyBot (Spybot - Search & Destroy knockoff)[113]UltimateCleaner[114]VirusHeat[115]VirusIsolator[116]Virus Locker[117]VirusProtectPro[118]VirusRemover2008[119]VirusRemover2009[120]VirusMelt[121]VirusRanger[122]Virus Response Lab 2009[123]VirusTrigger[124]Vista Antivirus 2008[125]WinAntiVirus Pro 2006[126]WinDefender (not to be confused with the legitimate Windows Defender)[127]Windows Police ProWindows Protection Suite[128]WinFixer[129]WinHound[130]WinSpywareProtect[131]WinWeb Security 2008[132]WorldAntiSpy[133]XP Antivirus[134]XP AntiSpyware 2009[135]XP-Shield[136]Zinaps AntiSpyware 2008[137]Winpc Defender[138]Spyware Protect 2009[139]Winpc Antivirus[140]Personal Antivirus[141]
Just follow these tips to stay safe from these pests. Happy surfing!
Published by Seth Luke
My name is Seth Luke. I enjoy learning about computer viruses as well as listening to music. Feel free to contact me at jtuli007@gmail.com View profile
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