Mission: Invade And Persuade With Antivirus-1

Having a computer means having a good antivirus program. These are invaluable in keeping our systems and information safe. This is what makes rogue antivirus programs so effective in gaining computer users trust. We all know we need protection, and these programs say that they will give it to us. However, it is essential that we recognize rogue from real and take steps to protect our computers. Antivirus-1 and others in this group have the sole purpose of getting users to buy their ineffective software. How can we avoid this?





What is Antivirus-1?





Antivirus-1 is a rogue antivirus program, and it seeks to persuade users to buy its full version. It must first, then, persuade the users that there is a problem with their computers. To do this, Antivirus-1 generates pop-ups and false scan results that list several infected files. The reality is, however, that these infections do not exist. They are created by Antivirus-1 and will not harm your computer. In other words, the problem is not the infected files found but the false scan that is generating them. Antivirus one is part of the same group of rogue programs as Antivirus 2010 and Antivirus 360.





How Do I Know If I Have Antivirus-1?





If Antivirus-1 is in your system, you will certainly know because it issues incessant pop-ups. Usually, filters block these, so getting an influx is a good indication of a rogue program. Antivirus-1 simulates a scanning program and lists infections, including Spyware.IEMonster.d, Zlob.PornAdvertiser.ba, Spyware.IMMonitor, Infostealer.Banker.E, and Dialer.Xpehbam.biz_dialer. These seek to reinforce Antivirus-1s claims that you have security threats. However, these infections are made-up. You will receive warnings such as the following:



Spyware IEMonster activity detected. It is spyware that attempts to steal passwords from Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Outlook, and other programs, including logins and passwords from online banking sessions, eBay, PayPal.



Ads that mention password stealing malware are particular effective because no computer user wants their personal or financial information taken by a third party. It is understandable that many choose to purchase Antivirus-1. To reiterate, though, there is no password stealing program, there is no Spyware IEMonster.





If Antivirus-1 is in your system, you may also experience hijacked browser settings. This program is able to modify your host file. Your homepage may be replaced with an Antivirus-1 site. You may also be redirected to one of these rogue sites when you attempt to conduct a search or when you enter a web address.





What makes Antivirus-1 so effective in gaining peoples trust is its ability to simulate a blue screen of death. Antivirus-1 puts on quite a show: first, you will notice a crash screen, or blue screen of death, that warns that SPYWARE.MONSTER.FX_WILD (or another false infection) has been detected and your computer needs to reboot. Your computer then appears to reboot. In reality, though, this is just a screensaver used by Antivirus-1 to legitimize its claims. After your system reboots, a warning appears:



Your Anti-virus-1 copy is unregistered. Microsoft Security recommends you to activate your antivirus protection software.



This looks real, uses the Microsoft name, and implies that you already have Antivirus-1 but it needs to be registered or updated; it can be very convincing. It is important to remember that none of these infections are real, and this blue screen routine is just an elaborate ad.





If Antivirus-1 remains in your system, you are likely to notice slower functioning. Rogue antivirus programs use a lot of your available resources for themselves, leaving your necessary programs with far less to operate on. The long-term presence in your computer may cause greater instability and open the door for Trojans carrying other malware programs. For these reasons, it is vital to remove Antivirus-1 immediately upon noticing these warnings signs.





How Did Antivirus-1 Become Installed in My Computer?





The reason that you are receiving these pop-ups and warnings is that the trial version of Antivirus-1 has been downloaded onto your computer. It does this through a trojan known as Vundo or MS Juan. Vundo is often bundled in with spam email attachments or on affected websites. Clicking on an ad or banner, or even simply visiting one of these vulnerable websites can be enough to allow Vundo in. Vundo carries with it malware, including Antivirus-1. Websites that are known to harbor trojans such as Vundo include those with adult content, pirated or warez material, gaming sites, those with freeware and file sharing, and of course, Antivirus-1s websites. Even clicking on the ads cancel option may launch Antivirus-1.





Many users purchase the full version of Antivirus-1 because they are concerned about the security of their computers. This is understandable. Seeing a blue screen of death is disconcerting, especially if you use your computer for work, purchases, banking, or communication. This is why it is so important to know the signs of a rogue program; you can avoid buying useless software and causing further problems.