Carl runs a site devoted to helping you rid your computer from all sorts of spyware and malware at http://www.spyzooka.com/
I'm going to share an unpleasant experience with you today. I downloaded and installed what I thought was a free antivirus, but turned out to be an adware and spyware program. To make sure we are clear about what I'm talking about I'm going to take a moment and share with you the definitions of adware and spyware as I was able to piece together through my research. Adware is a program written with the express intention of pushing advertisements on you. In most cases this takes the form of pop-ups, but can also take the form of pop-unders, floating advertisements, browser redirection, and search redirection. Spyware is a program that collects information on you. This information can range from web browsing habits to bank and credit card information. This information is then passed on to an outside source.
Escorcher told me some files were infected with the Parite virus and suggested removal of these files. Luckily I didn't remove them. Escorcher will say this about some valid uninfected Windows files, and if you take its suggestion and remove these files your Windows will stop working. I also started getting pop-ups while I surfed the Web.
I did some research online and found out that Escorcher is what they refer to as a rogue program. This means it's a fake program, not really the antivirus it claims to be. It turns out that it is adware and spyware. The pop-ups were generated by Escorcher and it collected my IP address and web browsing habits and passed it on to advertisers.
When I found this out I knew I had to remove Escorcher. I tried to uninstall it via add/remove programs, but that didn't work. I searched the Web for an answer and found out that I needed an anti-spyware program. I also found the disturbing fact that most anti-spyware only removes 80-90% of an infection, leaving you still infected. I did some digging and found there are anti-spyware programs out there that give 100% removal guarantees, but you have to look for them.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
On-Demand Security is the Need of the Hour
By: Jeff | 09/11/2009With the availability of sophisticated and modern IT tools, companies are increasingly adopting remote access technologies that enable them to have greater mobility and flexibility. Hence, is becomes important to protect network’s unmanaged endpoints.
Network Security Provider Should Also Take Care of PCI audit
By: Jeff | 09/11/2009PCI audit has affected millions of businesses around the world. E-commerce is gaining popularity and the use of Credit/Debit cards is increasing because of the conveniences they offer to the buyers and sellers.
Medical Identity Theft
By: Heinz Golz | 07/11/2009Medical identity theft is a criminal act that occurs when a person uses another person personal information, such as name and insurance card number, without that person knowledge to obtain or make false claims for medical services or goods.
ISP BitTorrent restrictions? This should help you
By: Carlton Diaz | 06/11/2009Nowadays more and more humans are participating in the WWW phenomenon known as P2P, moreover it has designed an absolutely new way of enjoying media. But some Providers don't like it at all, for the reason that using these systems forges monstrous amounts of traffic that flood through their lines, which of course forges identically extensive costs for them. For this reason, file sharers all over the country experience something very unpleasant with their ISPs - BitTorrent downloads ar...
Why is Laptop Theft Prevention Important
By: prachi upadhyay | 06/11/2009The laptop theft prevention is a very advanced technology& very effective too. The laptop recovery software works at a very higher level, where it can not only track the laptop location, but also deletes the complete content of the laptop, so that the thief cannot get access to it, also he will not be even able to do anything with the stolen laptop. It will be completely locked by this service.
How Can I Secure My Wireless Network?
By: Lee Ives | 05/11/2009Hackers love wireless networks - they can break into many with relative ease and they don't even need to be in your home to do so - they can access them from the street outside with a wireless laptop.
How Can I Secure My Wireless Network?
By: Lee Ives | 05/11/2009Hackers love wireless networks - they can break into many with relative ease and they don't even need to be in your home to do so - they can access them from the street outside with a wireless laptop.
Top five strategies for combating modern computer security threats
By: MFrizzi | 04/11/2009Is anti-virus dead? Today’s fast, targeted, silent threats take advantage of the open network and new technologies that support an increasingly mobile workforce. Organizations need innovative approaches to protect the web, email servers and endpoint. This paper discusses the security implications of modern threats, analyzes where emerging technologies can add real value, and highlights five key strategies for ensuring solid malware protection.
Is SpywareQuake a Waste of Money?
By: Carl Atkinson | 06/10/2009 | SecuritySpywareQuake is a rogue security program that infiltrates your system through trojans and websites of questionable security. Through incessant security warnings and pop-up ads, this application advises the user that many infections and parasites exist, in an attempt to frighten them so that they eventually purchase the product to remedy these threats. This program is spyware, and is not capable of performing any positive action for your PC.
Why VirusIsolator is a Complete Waste of Money
By: Carl Atkinson | 06/10/2009 | SecurityVirusIsolator sounds like the name of a program that would be beneficial for the health of your PC, doesn't it? While the name sounds professional, this is a rogue security program designed to trick users through pop-ups and fake system notifications. These alerts will inform you that there are infections that exist on your computer, and that you should download the scan they offer to detect these parasites so that they may be removed, and security restored. It is a total scam, and the following
AntiSpywareExpert is No Expert on Spyware Removal
By: Carl Atkinson | 06/10/2009 | SecurityAntiSpywareExpert is a rogue security program that fails to deliver on its promises, and is itself spyware. Although it displays alarming security alerts to users informing them of security threats and parasites, it has no ability to detect these things. This program is a scam invented by hackers for the purpose of frightening users into ultimately purchasing the product to remove threats that supposedly exist on their PC.
Beware of BraveSentry for Spyware Removal
By: Carl Atkinson | 06/10/2009 | SecurityBraveSentry sounds like a trusted name, doesn't it? While the name may sound good, it is actually a rogue security program that advertises to be a legitimate spyware removal application. This program advertises aggressively to the user, giving them misleading information and false promises. Its main intention is to alarm the user, making them believe that their computer is infected with spyware and that their application can detect these infections and remove them. Don't waste your money on this
Why SpySpotter Should Not Be Trusted
By: Carl Atkinson | 29/09/2009 | SecuritySpySpotter sounds like it would spot spyware in order to remove it, right? That's what the hackers who make this rogue security program would like you to think. This malicious application is actually malware that is designed to trick people in to buying a product that has no use or value. Through incessant security warnings and ads, they hope to convince you that your computer is infected with many security threats, and that the only way you can remove these parasites is with the product. Don't
Is XPAntispyware2009 Worth the Money?
By: Carl Atkinson | 29/09/2009 | SecurityIf you are considering XPAntispyware2009 to get rid of security threats or parasites on your PC, you may want to reconsider. This program is malicious, and is actually a rogue security program designed by hackers for the purpose of making a profit. It cannot back up the claims it makes, and is a complete waste of money. What does this rogue do? This article will explain a little about spyware, so that you have a better understanding.
Should SpyAxe Be Trusted?
By: Carl Atkinson | 29/09/2009 | SecurityWhile SpyAxe promotes itself as a legitimate spyware removal tool, it is actually a rogue security program, or trojan, that is spyware. This application can do many harmful things to your PC, and is not capable of anything it claims to be able to do. You may have an icon or two in your system tray that pop out balloon messages warning you of security threats. If you do, beware. Here is more information on this malicious program to help you determine if you do have it, and what you should do.