Attitude Computers http://www.attitudecomputers.com/blog Computer Services, Computer Repair and Computer Help Throughout The GTA Fri, 11 Mar 2011 22:09:45 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Look Out for Fake Anti Virus Software That Plans to Steal Your Credit Card http://www.attitudecomputers.com/blog/?p=11 http://www.attitudecomputers.com/blog/?p=11#comments Fri, 11 Mar 2011 22:09:45 +0000 admin http://www.attitudecomputers.com/blog/?p=11 Continue reading →]]> One of the most common virus’s that we’re seeing these days in many homes and offices throughout the greater Toronto area is from the Fake Anti-Virus family of virus’s.  It basically pretends to be an Antivirus program that is trying to help you to clear out a list of infected files that it has found.  Of course none of these files exist, because it is the real threat to your computer.

In fact, I’ve had to remove this virus from 4 computers in Oshawa and Whitby just last week, and the week before we had several onsite computer repairs in Ajax and Pickering.  One client in Toronto had actually clicked through and gave his credit card number thinking it was a legal program.  It is really awful when unsuspecting people fall for this nasty trick to steal your credit card information.

It is possible to remove, but it does cause more damage and root itself in more deeply the longer it is allowed to remain on your system.  It will even rewrite several key system files, and if you do delete one of these files, a running process can bring the file back immediately.  Then when you reboot the computer again a hidden startup process will revive the virus once more.  All of these factors combine thereby making the virus very difficult remove. 

Most of these virus’ come for the 2010/2011 family of fake Anti Virus programs, here are some examples:

  • home-anti-virus-2010
  • home-anti-virus2010
  • home-antivirus-2010
  • home-av-2010
  • home-av2010
  • homeanti-virus-2010
  • homeanti-virus2010
  • homeantivirus-2010
  • homeantivirus2010
  • homeav-2010
  • homeav2010
  • p-c-anti-spyware-2010
  • pc-anti-spyware-20-10
  • pc-anti-spyware-2010
  • pc-anti-spyware2010
  • pc-antispy2010
  • pc-antispyware-2010
  • pcanti-spyware-2010
  • pcantispyware-2010
  • pcantispyware2010

Unfortunately these programs really do look like they should be there so they are hard to spot.  They can also cause other problems like pop-ups, internet explorer linking to incorrect pages, etc.

This family of virus’s can also stop you from being able to download and install antivirus and anti malware software.

If you want to try and remove it yourself I would recommend a combination of AVG and Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware which are both free programs you can find online (using a different computer of course).

Luckily we can remove the virus for you if you are in Toronto, Etobicoke, Port Perry, Bowmanville, Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering or Scarborough.  Just give us a quick call and our expert technicians would love to help you out.  We are always around to help with any computer service, computer repairs and most commonly computer help.

You can reach us at 1 800 299-1831 any time!

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