Responding to Impersonators
Online Fraud
Rogue Anti-Spyware
Scam artists are cashing in on the heightened awareness of spyware by offering bogus, or "rogue" anti-spyware programs. Some of these rogue anti-spyware programs are associated with known distributors of spyware and have been known to install spyware themselves.
Other rogue anti-spyware programs use deceptive or scare tactics to drive up sales from confused computer users searching for protection from spyware. Each of these anti-spyware programs is known for their illicit installation methods, desktop hijacks or deceptive, aggressive advertising.
The Federal Trade Commission has filed actions against a number of bogus spyware removal vendors, such as Seismic Entertainment Productions, creators of Spy Wiper and Spy Deleter, and MaxTheater, creator of Spyware Assassin.
Top Three Worst Rogue Anti-Spyware Programs & Variants
- Antivirus Gold Family - variants include:
- Adware Delete
- SpyAxe
- Antivirus Gold
- SpywareStrike
- PS Guard Family - variants include:
- Security Iguard
- Winhound
- PSGuard
- SpywareNO! Family - variants include:
- SpyDemmolisher
- SpySheriff
- SpyTrooper
- SpywareNO!
Find more information about these and other rogue anti-spyware programs here.
Characteristics of Rogue Anti-Spyware Applications
Webroot Spy Sweeper™ detects rogue anti-spyware programs that are installed silently on a user’s machine, usually when a Trojan horse prompts a fake alert like the one below.
Rogue anti-spyware programs may be downloaded by Trojan horses or installed when the Fake Alert is clicked. Other characteristics of rogue anti-spyware programs include:
- Product is advertised via pop-up ads
- Program appears in a Desktop Hijack
- Installation occurs without user knowledge or consent
Pop-up window used by a rogue anti-spyware program to scare a user into installing the program.
In many cases a user’s desktop is hijacked to an advertisement for the rogue anti-spyware program.
How to Spot a Legitimate Anti-Spyware Program
There are several easy ways to differentiate between legitimate programs and rogue applications:
- Trustworthy anti-spyware programs do not advertise in pop-up ads or on questionable Web sites, such as gambling or pornographic sites.
- Any security application which appears on your machine that you did not knowingly download or install is questionable, and is likely an illegitimate program.
- The scan results should tip you off as well – inspect these carefully. Rogue anti-spyware programs will report legitimate files and processes as spyware to scare you into thinking that you have several spies on your PC.
- Enter the product’s name in your favorite search engine, if results such as “Remove product name” appear, it is probably a questionable application.
Read recent news about rogue anti-spyware applications here.