Computer Tips -Tech Info

Tag: antispyware

  • How to Remove Antivirus 360

    This should not be confused with Norton 360 which is a legitimate antivirus program (although if you need help removing Norton 360 to reinstall it or another antivirus program you may want to visit my antivirus removal tool list.)

    What we are talking about this time is a rogue security application known as Antivirus 360. Like many other rogue security applications (wolves in sheeps clothing as I used to call them), Antivirus 360 may have installed itself on your system by way of a security flaw in your browser or some other less than admirable method. Such avenues include aggressive popup ad advertising after a system is infecting with a trojan such as vundo. It seems to be the successor to the Antivirus 2009 rogue application.

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  • Can I have more than One Antivirus Program?

    This is a question I see quite a bit… in fact I just saw this questoin while browsing the web. Generally it’s NOT a good idea to have more than one antivirus program. Given the low level system access that antivirus software needs to have it can interfere with correctly protecting the system from the viruses as it’s supposed to. It IS possible to have an antivirus program and other software that protects against spyware. You just need to be careful and check out the software you plan to use. I’m starting a list of good virus and spyware removal tools some of which are standalone antivirus or anti-spyware software.

  • Another wolf in sheeps clothing to watch for

    Wolves in sheeps clothing are the label I give to those rogue antispyware, or antivirus programs that bring pests instead of protect against them, or are otherwise questionable in their tactics. Titan Shield seems to be a new threat on the block in this area, I haven’t seen it first hand yet, but it looks like it is one you’ll want to avoid *(You may want to block antispywarebox(dot)com and titanshield(dot)com if you’re in a position to do such things in your network.)

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  • Would you trust antispyware that installed adware?

    There are a couple stories on spywarecleaner’s recent practice of bundling whenu with the free version of their “antispyware scanner”. According to spyware confidential, SpywareCleaner made the rogue antispyware products list and was delisted after they corrected some “issues”. Now, they’ve been relisted due to the adware bundling of WhenU Save.

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  • Another Spysherriff clone

    Sunbelt blog has the details on a spysherriff clone called pesttrap (distributed through pesttrap.com). I guess clone is not the best word as they’re calling it a “variant” which suggests to me that perhaps more has changed than just the name. SpySherriff, of course, is one of the “rogue antispyware” programs or “wolves in sheeps clothing” as I like to think of them.

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  • Symantec fixes possible rootkit issue

    Brian Krebs at the SecurityFix has the story. Symantec, has fixed a problem with their SystemWorks and SystemWorks premier software that could allow malicious software to hide in the Norton Protected Recycle Bin. That software, could have used the nprotect directory to evade detection by antivirus and antispyware programs.

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  • More Fake security sites

    More sites that claim to be windows security center or the like are popping up… a list:

    securitycaution(dot)com
    dnserror404(dot)com
    todaywarnings(dot)com
    updatesystempage(dot)com
    yoursecuritysystem(dot)com

    From sunbeltblog.

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  • Warning – old wolf in sheeps clothing cloned…

    Our “good friend” spyaxe, which is one of the “wolves in sheeps clothing” that masquerade as security software, but in actuality are delivered WITH spyware, has a new clone. Apparently SpywareStrike is making the rounds, and has a website which is identical to the SpyAxe site and it looks to be the same program. The only thing that appears different is the new name. I guess with all the publicity over the spyaxe name, they figured they wanted a fresh start for the new year.

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  • Makers of fake security software settle lawsuit

    The security fix has some news today on some bogus security software makers (the wolves in sheeps clothing as I tend to think of them…) Anyway, they’re settling deceptive trade practice chargers that were brought by the FTC. SpywareAssassin and Spykiller were facing a civil suit over their ads which invariably found infestations on a users pc and offered to clean it up for ~$30 or so.

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  • Network Security guide for the home or small business network – Part 13 – Your own worst enemy

    Once upon a time I did an article about the biggest computer security vulnerability ever. I’ve also passed along the old “the most dangerous part of a car is the nut behind the wheel” joke. If you haven’t got it yet, the computer user can be the “weakest link”. Let’s face it, you’ve got antivirus, a firewall, all the current windows updates, antispyware and a website pops up. The website looks like Windows security center and says you have a virus and need to get official antivirus software.

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