Fake Antivirus

Q:

I think I have a virus that keeps popping up in the windows task bar; it looks and seems like it’s part of the Windows user interface, but something just doesn’t seem right about it. The message keeps telling me that  my computer is infected, and when I click on the popup it brings me to a web page which seems to be an advertisement for antivirus software, and it claims that this is the only software capable of removing my infection. However, the cost is something exuberant, in the range of $40 a month or something like that. I find it hard to believe that I need to spend $40 a month to keep my computer free of viruses. I’m pretty sure this is fake antivirus software. What should I do?

A:

First, your initial assumption of the situation is correct. Your computer is infected with a virus, and this tactic is  quite common amongst individuals and corporations who create virus software. Somehow, your computer was infected with a virus that even tells you that you are infected, and it finds ways to bring you to a web page that seems to force you to buy an antivirus program to remove its own infection. This is called “forcing the need” marketing.

However, the claim that this expensive software is the only software that can remove the infection is totally false. There are a number of legitimate free anti virus programs that you can use to remove the infection. DO NOT, under any circumstance attempt to purchase the software the virus promotes to remove the infection. Many of these types of virus have a far more sinister purpose. Not only will purchasing this software probably not cure the infection, but you will be giving all your personal information to this nefarious company. Any terms and conditions presented during the purchase of this nefarious software should be considered null and void, considering that they infected your computer with their virus in the first place. Never, under any circumstance trust these anti virus programs that are brought upon by a virus. You risk becoming a victim of identity theft, having your bank account wiped out, and you leave yourself open to a slew of other similar viruses.  These companies will sell your email address to similar nefarious companies, and the cycle will perpetuate itself.

What to do:

1) DO NOT PURCHASE THE ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE that is recommended by the virus itself in an attempt to remove it.

2) Browse through the DS approved free anti virus software suites, and try to remove the infection. If one fails to remove the infection, move down the list until you find one that does. Not all anti virus software is the same, and one program may find and catch and infection that another won’t.  Consider purchasing legitimate anti virus software. DS offers
anti virus promo code links to the most trusted anti virus software companies.  Remember, subscription anti virus software offers real time protection, and can help prevent infections.

3) If one of the free suites fails to remove the infection, considering spending money on legitimate anti virus software. Any one of the DS recommended free anti virus programs also offers paid-for versions that allow more in-depth scanning tactics. Generally speaking, the paid-for anti virus suites offer many more features including, deep system scans, real time protection,  identity theft protection services, and others that are left out of the free versions.

4) After the infection is entirely removed, check your Windows Device Manager to make sure that the Virus didn’t hurt any of the software that controls your hardware. You may need to re-install or update your device drivers after some particularly nasty viruses.