Pop-ups were a brilliant idea when first created. How can you advertise to people who would otherwise not be interested? Pop an ad up right in front of them! But the novelty soon wore off as these little ads interrupted work, communication, or leisure. Today, we have filters that block these, so a sudden influx can signal a problem. Pop-ups are a favorite tool of rogue antivirus programs like MS Antispyware. Learn how to recognize these rogue programs to keep your computer in healthy running order. What is MS Antispyware 2009? A typical rogue antivirus program, MS Antivirus 2009 hopes to persuade computer owners to purchase its software. To accomplish this goal, it simulates security scans and produces a list of infections. It cannot be emphasized enough that these results are false. The â€scan†is really nothing but an advertisement, and the â€infections†found are either legitimate Windows files or have been created by MS Antivirus 2009. There is likely no threat to your computer, and it is the presence of MS Antivirus 2009 that is causing the pop-ups. The program will, however, urge you to buy the full version, saying it is the only software that can remove the infections found and protect your computer. This is a rogue antivirus program, meaning that it will not deliver on these promises. It is best to avoid this program in order to keep your computer operating normally. This program has been linked to Pro Antispyware 2009, Antivirus 2009, and NanoAntivirus, all rogue programs. Is MS Antispyware 2009 in My System? Rogue antivirus programs can lie dormant in your system after entering. During this time, they evade detection by reputable virus scan programs. When they are able to modify your system settings, they then launch their campaign to urge you to buy the full version of their software. MS Antispyware 2009 behaves in this typical fashion, and when it begins to make its presence known, you will notice several telltale signs: Pop-ups. This is among the most visible signals that you have MS Antispyware 2009 residing in your system. No one likes to deal with pop-ups because they interrupt browsing and take time from our work, conversations, research, or any of the other tasks we do online. Clicking on them to get them out of the way is the normal reaction, but before you do that, take a look at the pop-up. This will help you determine the source and if you have a rogue program in your computer. The ads from MS Antispyware 2009 closely resemble those from legitimate antivirus programs, making it even more important that you view it with a critical eye. The scan results have MS Antispyware 2009 printed in the upper left corner, and it is accompanied by a red shield-like logo. Like a typical scan result page, this one shows a list of threats, ranging in severity from high risk to critical. You then have the option of removing these infections with MS Antispyware 2009. This can be very persuasive because you actually see a list of file names. It appears to be real. But appearances are all that matter to programs like these. Be aware of the name of the program advertising itself, and avoid ones like MS Antispyware 2009. Desktop shortcuts and system tray icons. MS Antispyware 2009 is able to install new shortcuts and icons, both of which are designed to persuade owners to purchase software and convince them of threats in their computers. If you notice an unfamiliar shortcut or icon, avoid clicking on it. Another tactic employed by MS Antispyware is to make the system tray icon (near your clock) flash, indicating a warning. If you do click on it, a message like the following appears: Windows Security Center reports that MS Antispyware 2009 is inactive. Antivirus software helps protect your computer against viruses and other security threats. Click here for the suggested actions. Your system may be at risk now. Ads like these are particularly effective in convincing people because it implies a connection with Microsoft. It creates the appearance that the legitimate program, Windows Security Center, endorses or is affiliated with MS Antispyware 2009. Really, though, this program is in no way connected with Microsoft. Hijacked Homepage. MS Antispyware is able to change your browser settings. Your homepage may be replaced with a rogue website, most likely one that will attempt to sell you MS Antispyware 2009’s full version. You may also be redirected to sites like these when trying to go to another webpage or when doing an online search. This is a very good sign that there is a rogue antivirus program in your computer, so if you are diverted to rogue websites, don’t click on anything. Make sure to note the name of the product being advertised so you can take immediate steps to remove it. Slow performance. Pop-ups may be the most visible sign of a rogue antivirus program, but perhaps even more irritating is the sluggish functioning caused by MS Antispyware 2009 and its brethren. There is both a reason and a purpose behind this. The reason that your computer will run slower is that MS Antispyware buries itself in your system and begins automatically when your computer starts. It runs constantly in the background, taking up a lot of your available resources. This causes a slowdown in your legitimate programs because they have to make do with the power and memory left over. And the purpose behind the slowdown: it leads computer owners to suspect that something is indeed wrong with their systems. This makes them more prone to believing the claims of the pop-ups that start to appear. How Did MS Antispyware Enter My System? There are several methods used by rogue antivirus programs like MS Antispyware 2009. It is possible for owners to purchase the software and install it themselves. When all the signs point to infections and viruses, the pop-up ads become even more convincing. Many people understandably expect MS Antispyware 2009 to be able to resolve the problems for them. Unfortunately, this is not the case. If you did install MS Antispyware 2009, it is important to take immediate steps to remove it. But how does the program get into your computer if you did not put it there? The most common method: trojans. These typically resided in adult sites, those pirated or gaming material, and those that allow file sharing. Trojans are bundled with spam emails and attachments, as well as free or inexpensive media. When you click on a spam email or attachment, download a video, click on affected ads, or visit sites like the ones listed above, it is possible for trojans to gain access to your computer. Like the legendary Trojan horse, these bring in some unexpected guests. They carry malware, including MS Antispyware 2009 and allow them to become installed in your system. The trojan believed to be associated with MS Antispyware 2009 is Zlob. This is a fake video codec that is attached to free and cheap videos. When you download an affected video or play it, Zlob can enter and deposit MS Antispyware 2009. It is important to remove MS Antispyware as soon as possible. Because it exploits security vulnerabilities in your system, it can become a signal for other trojans carrying malware to enter.
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