Misleading
applications typically strike people when they are surfing the web. There is
not a single type of website where these applications are found, but they are
more common from sites offering pirated goods and adult content, as well as
blogs and forums. They can even sneak into advertisements on legitimate sites,
usually through banner ads at the top of Web pages. I won't sugar coat it
either, they are a real pain in the processor. In order to get installed onto a
system, a person is usually either tricked into downloading the program
(thinking it's something else) or a small program called a
"Downloader" is installed by the attacker through an un-patched flaw
in the person's web browser. This is often known as a "drive-by"
install.
Misleading
applications often are not the first unwanted program to land on a person's
system. A Downloader, such as Trojan.Zlob or Downloader.Mislead App, infect the
system first and then download the misleading application to the computer. Once
the downloaded application is installed and ready, the malware that installed
it will inform the user that they are infected with a new, previously unknown
threat. This can be done through a "balloon message" that appears in
the lower right-hand side of the system. The misleading application will then
present itself and either pretend to download or run a scan of the system. The
scan results produced by the misleading application may be entirely false or
may include some real issues affecting the system, but will always exaggerate
the problems on the system and refuse to fix them until the vendor is paid and
a registration key is entered into the program.
Why are they dangerous?
Misleading
applications, sometimes called rogue software or rogue anti-virus, like a trojan
horse, trick consumers into believing a problem exists on their system.
Consumers who trust the messages are tricked into purchasing bogus applications
for resolution of the problems they have been duped into believing exist.
Misleading applications scam consumers out of money, faking the existence of
problems and failing to deliver the protection they promise. They also create a
privacy risk as the victim must provide their credit card information to the
scammers in order to register the misleading application and solve the supposed
problems. The victims of misleading applications have paid for software that
does not work, handed their personal information to scammers, and are left with
a false sense of security that leads them to potentially greater risks from
more aggressive threats. Even if a person catches on to the ruse and does not
pay the misleading application vendor, the programs can be notoriously
difficult to remove without the proper security software.
What
To Do?
Be
sure to install a reputable, valid security program on your computer. You can
check them out by doing research about them using the internet. Some very
reliable and highly recommended security systems should be competent, valid and
be a secure security protecton program. Norton/Symantec Security Systems have
proactive protection programs against spyware and preventatives for other
security risks. Kaspersky with real-time blocking of new and emerging viruses
and spyware, McAfee anti-virus and anti-spyware software, Windows Defender anti-virus
protection programs and scans. Which are proactive and reliable for internet
security. Blocking threats that are more and more common on the internet today.
There is even system protection for your smartphones. You can have confidence
in knowing your system will be protected. Be especially cautious when clicking
on pop-up advertisements-especially ads promoting system security or
performance tools that look like a standard Microsoft Windows alert. You can
always check with Microsoft Windows if you're not sure and don't click on any
links on a suspicious looking email.
Do
not accept or open suspicious error dialogs from within the browser!
Purchase
security and system performance software from reputable sources by visiting
there website instead of clicking on an uncertain link you receive in an email.
Keep software and security programs up to date. Although there are many names
of misleading applications some of the names of these rogue/suspicious anti
spyware programs may go by similar or different names. That's because the
criminals behind these scams are still in business today and have been in
business for many years. They have changed their names or reBranded themselves
but are running the same rip-off security programs. So buyer... beware!
Having
an successful internet business has been a goal of mine for many years. About 5
years ago I was given my own computer and was able to start the journey of
making that goal into a reality. Currently I'm creating websites that are
constructed with good content and products that help others. I've learned a lot
while developing my ebusiness and if I can share the knowledge and help someone
else then I am successful. I'm active in affiliate marketing, social
networking, article writing, blogging and survey participation. I look forward
to pursuing my goal everyday. I'm also aspiring to write my own ebook. I enjoy
video games, tennis, bass fishing(catch/release) bird watching. I love all
things in nature.
Thank
you for reading my article. Enjoy the day!
Article
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sherrie_Vitello
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8138055
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