Rogue security software is software that uses malware (malicious software) or malicious tools to advertise or install itself or to force computer users to pay for removal of nonexistent spyware. Malware, a Portmanteau word from the words '''mal'''icious and soft'''ware''', is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without Such content will be deleted Specific software is to be mentioned in this article only Rogue software will often install a trojan horse to download a trial version, or it will do other unwanted things. This article refers to a form of Malware in computing terminology The first and still most comprehensive study of rogue and real antispyware programs was carried out by Eric L. Such content will be deleted Specific software is to be mentioned in this article only Howes. ^[1]

Contents 1 Effects 2 False Positives 3 Detection 4 Partial Rogue Software List 5 References 6 See also

Effects

The main goal of rogue software makers is to sell their product. Many times fake Windows dialog boxes will appear. Microsoft Windows is a series of Software Operating systems and Graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Most of the time, they will display a message such as "WARNING! Your computer is infected with spyware! Buy [software name] to remove it!" Usually, when the dialog box's OK button is clicked, this will direct the user to a porn website. Sometimes, even clicking the upper right hand X button to close the dialog box will produce the same effect or activate the software's installation. (Pressing Alt+F4 can circumvent that trick). Some software, like SpyAxe will automatically download the trial version without any user action (drive-by installation). The expression drive-by download is used in three increasingly strict meanings Any Download that happens without knowledge of the user

False Positives

A variant of the above technique that rogue security software makers use is that of false positives. A false positive is a fake or false malware detection in a computer scan. This can convince even advanced users that their computer is infected who may not be deceived by the abovementioned similar claims without a scan. This is quite different from an accidental false positive, which can be produced in a scan by security software from honest companies.

Detection

Almost all reputable antispyware software will detect rogue software if it is installed on the scanned computer. Often, non-reputable rogue antispyware software will install a Trojan horse to download the software from the maker's website, like Titan Shield. ^[2] Reputable antispyware software can detect the Trojan even before the software is installed. Programs such as Ad-Aware SE, AVG Anti-Virus and Avast! can usually detect these. Ad-Aware is an anti-spyware program developed by Lavasoft that detects and removes Spyware or Adware on a user's computer AVG is an Umbrella term for a range of antivirus and Internet security software for the Microsoft Windows, Linux, and FreeBSD Avast! Antivirus is an Anti-virus program developed by ALWIL Software based in Prague, Czech Republic, first released in 1988 However, often removal of new, aggressive rogue programs requires use of programs such as HijackThis combined with manual removal processes because it can take quite a while before the manufacturers of the abovementioned legitimate programs learn how to automate the process and update their programs. HijackThis, sometimes abbreviated HJT, is a Freeware Spyware -removal tool for Microsoft Windows originally created by Merijn Bellekom Use of HijackThis without specialist help can cripple a computer, and users are advised to get help from the many voluntary specialists in forums such as Spyware Warrior, Safer Networking,Bleeping Computer and others.

Partial Rogue Software List

• AntiVirus Gold[1]
• AntiVirGear
• Cleanator
• DriveCleaner[2]
• EasySpywareCleaner
• InfeStop
• MacSweeper
• Malware Alarm
• PCSecureSystem[3]
• PestTrap[4]
• SpyAxe[5]
• Spydawn[6]
• Spylocked[7]
• SpySheriff[8]
• SpySpotter
• Spyware Quake[9]
• Spyware Stormer
• Spy-Rid
• System Live Protect[10]
• UltimateCleaner
• Virusheat
• VirusProtectPro
• WinAntivirus2006
• WinFixer[11]
• Xp Antivirus 2008
• A recent analysis of 57 Rogue Software web sites [12]

References

1. ^ Spyware Warrior: Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites
2. ^ TitanShield - Symantec.com

See also

• Spyware
• Malware
• Russian Business Network

AntiVirus Gold is a rogue antivirus program developed by ICommerce Solutions S MacSweeper is malware that misleads users by exaggerating reports about spyware adware or viruses on their computer WinFixer, WinAntiVirusPro, ErrorSafe, SystemDoctor, WinAntiSpyware, AVSystemCare, WinAntiSpy, Performance Optimizer MacSweeper is malware that misleads users by exaggerating reports about spyware adware or viruses on their computer Malware Alarm is a rogue Anti-Spyware developed by SS Development that poses as a legitimate Anti-spyware which installs itself onto your PC Spydawn is a malware program that claims to be a commercial anti-spyware when in fact it is itself adware -advertised SpyLocked, also known as SpywareLocked, is Rogue software that seeks to trick the user into purchasing its full rogue version SpySheriff is Malware that disguises itself as an Anti-spyware program in order to trick the owner of the infected computer to buy the program by repeatedly informing SmitFraud or W32/SmitFraudA is a type of Spyware that installs itself into a computer via Adware, without the user's knowledge UltimateCleaner 2007 was a rogue anti-spyware program that popped up fake Windows security messages and other security warnings in order to trick users into believing that VirusHeat is known as a rogue anti- Spyware program VirusHeat tricks users into buying a full version of the VirusHeat program through repeated false alert messages VirusProtectPro is a rogue malware program that claims to be a commercial anti-spyware when in fact it is itself adware-advertised WinFixer, WinAntiVirusPro, ErrorSafe, SystemDoctor, WinAntiSpyware, AVSystemCare, WinAntiSpy, Performance Optimizer Such content will be deleted Specific software is to be mentioned in this article only Malware, a Portmanteau word from the words '''mal'''icious and soft'''ware''', is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without The Russian Business Network (commonly abbreviated as RBN) is a multi-faceted Cybercrime organization specializing in and in some cases monopolizing personal identity

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