Fake Anti-Spyware Pretends to be Green Security Software

Software vendor, Blue Penguin Software, has recently discovered "Eco Anti-Virus," a new variant among a host of rogue or fake anti-spyware applications. Promoters of the application claim that it is an eco-friendly security product.

Blue Penguin security researchers state that Eco anti-virus poses as an energy conserving program and traps those end-users who are committed to the green environment. But the product, just as other rogues, doesn't perform what it promises. In fact, the software deceptively loads itself on a user's computer even in the absence of his knowledge or consent. When users unwittingly install a certain infected audio or video codec from the Net, understanding them to be beneficial, Eco anti-virus gets installed on their systems.

Once installed, this malicious software produces several fake security alerts that state - there is spyware, malware or other parasites on the users' computer. Subsequently, it suggests the users to download free malware scanning software which apparently detects and removes the infections. When the scan gets over, users are told that they need to buy the software for eliminating the parasites. But on doing that, the systems security actually gets further compromised. The researchers caution that Eco anti-virus is a total failure in all the functions it promises.

In case a malware is loaded on computer, certain extremely noticeable signs emerge like the computer becomes slow or it becomes unsteady. Web-browser may divert the user to unintended sites whose top page may appear different.

Manual attempts to eliminate Eco anti-virus from contaminated computers could be time consuming, expensive and frustrating. Sometimes users may be even required to wipe out everything from their systems just to remove Eco Anti-Virus.

Commenting on the problem, the researchers stated that many scams existed on the Net, which claimed to safeguard end-users' computers, and the current one was one among them.

Consequently, to remove Eco Anti-Virus, the researchers recommend that computer users should deploy a trustworthy and high quality anti-spyware product. Before using the antivirus program, consumers should first check for its authenticity as well as its supporting reviews from experts and other users.

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» SPAMfighter News - 1/12/2010