Rogue Computer Security Software is one of the biggest growing threats for the security of your PC. They are nothing but online scams. They basically try to sell you a crap piece of software in the name of selling a genuine security software and run away with your money.
The Mechanism of Operation of Rogue Security Software
These rogue software exploit some weaknesses in your computer security. They also take help of some Trojans hidden in your system to slip in their installers, which take command of your computer by modifying your system files and making illegal entries to your Windows registries.
As soon as the machine is rebooted, it starts displaying lots of fake warning messages and alarms, which tells you that your computer is infected with lots of spyware and malware. Most of these warnings are about the malware infections, which may actually not present there in your system. Sometimes it even labels perfectly legitimate files as malware and reports them. And in worst cases, it even installs malware files and reports them.
Whatever be the case, the purpose is to ultimately scare the innocent user and create a sense of urgency by repeating the warning. The frequency of these warnings is so large, that it makes it virtually impossible for you to carry out any useful task. The performance of your computer gets crippled and you are forced to think over the next course of action.
At that time, it offers you to clean your system, if you agree to purchase the full licensed version of this fake security software. You purchase the software, and a crap piece of code is given to you, which is simply incapable of providing any sort of security to your computer. And the fraudsters repeat the process with the next victim.
Remember, with the purchase of this crap piece of software, not only you are throwing away your money, but also exposing your computer with some malicious code, which may provide a backdoor to your computer for further malware infections.
This is apart from your risking your private information like credit card details and personal data from landing into the wrong pair of hands.
How to Protect Yourself against These Scam Security Software
The approach is simple. Be cautious and exercise retrain. Before making any purchase decision, remember to use your favorite search engine to read a few reviews about the product.
Let us consider two names – Super Antispyware and Vista Antispyware.
Which one is fake and which one is genuine. If you have not heard anything about them, then you might not tell the difference. But a Google query reveals the truth. See the screenshots below.
You can clearly see the difference. Most of the websites occupying first few places on Google SERP’s for the term Vista Antispyware tells that it is a rogue security software. Just click on any of those, you will find the details of how to remove it from your computer.
On the other hand, the search results for Super Antispyware tell you that it is worth its salt and can do the job.
See, how easy it is to distinguish the ugly from the beautiful. Such simple thing as using Google is not used by many before making their purchase decision, and this is the one of the reasons for the growth of these Rogue Security Software.
Do not be part of this vicious cycle. Be Alert and be secure.
This is a Guest Post from Silki Garg. Check out her popular posts on 192.168.1.1 passwords and several others on security issues on her Internet Security Blog. Contact us if you want to guest post on this blog.
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