Another “Anti-Virus” Bites the Dust
by Taylor Flatt on December 24th, 2008 at 2:11 pm EDT - 268 views
After reading Brad’s post on a phoney AV, I thought I might post something to further his point. Microsoft has recently released tools that are targeting the “AntiVirus 2008 (aka AntiVirus 2007, AntiVirus XP) on people’s computers. This program does nothing to help your computer only puts bad things on it (Ironic eh?).
Another program Microsoft has been targeting is called W32 (aka Yektel with W32FakeXPA). This claims your computer by being installed with other phony software. Once on your computer, this takes hold and starts displaying messages that you need to “Upgrade” your software later prompting you to buy the software for $50. It also displays messages from Google saying you have outdated software and prompting you to buy the software as well. It also tricks you into thinking you had actual trojans or viruses on your computer when you really don’t.
These programs are very where and you can never be too sure of what you are downloading. There are only a few that I truly trust and that is AVG and kaspersky.
Source: ComputerWorld
There are 3 comments so far
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pixelgod51 - posted on December 24th, 2008 at 9:23 PM MST - Link
what about avast?
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Bradley Wint - posted on December 24th, 2008 at 9:26 PM MST - LinkIn my opinion, virus scanners are a matter of personal choice. I strongly believe only in Kaspersky and nothing else.
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Taylor Flatt - posted on December 24th, 2008 at 9:46 PM MST - Link
Brad, you have a point, but personal choice can only get you so much. If you like one because it looks good but in fact it does nothing, that won’t help you.
Avast is another good one and I’d like to apologize for that mistake. But that is it really. Of all name brands that are still decent, those hold up to some of the best scrutiny.
