Fake Antivirus scam software looks like 'real' software from AVG

[Wally]

Rogue anti-virus software which mimics the look and feel of legitimate anti-virus software is in circulation; a new version of 'FakeXPA' scare-ware poses as a legitimate commercial AV package, 'AVG Anti-virus 2011' but in reality it is a scam designed to compromise the computers on which it is installed. The download claims to scan for Malware, displays fake 'detection' warnings about infections and then asks for money to remove the non-existent Malware. Like other scare-ware, FakeXPA is known, in cases, to install its own Malware - variants of the Alureon Trojan horse program.

Microsoft has issued a warning about the scam which may also appear as "Anti-virus XP", "Anti-virusXP 2008", "WinDefender 2008" or "XP Anti-virus"
and say that their own Ant-Virus/Anti-Malware products Windows Defender, Microsoft Security Essentials, the Windows Live safety scanner can detect and remove infestations planted by the scare-ware software.

[Garrie]

Re: Fake Antivirus scam software looks like 'real' software from AVG

Thanks for the heads up! I'll email this onto my parents ( they have fallen for this type of scam before)

[Danny]

Re: Fake Antivirus scam software looks like 'real' software from AVG

AVG is well worth staying away from at all times anyway. Thanks for the highlight.

[jamie allan]

Re: Fake Antivirus scam software looks like 'real' software from AVG

As long as you download AVG from a reputable site ( say download.CNET.com ) then there is no need to worry. I've got to say that I think it is a perfectly good, FREE product. I've been in the IT industry since the early 1980s and I've probably tried most of the more popular anti-virus programmes and find AVG Free better than many. I think it's much like the discussions on this forum regarding image processing software everyone has their own views, likes and dislikes based on their own experience.

[Danny]

Re: Fake Antivirus scam software looks like 'real' software from AVG

As long as you download AVG from a reputable site ( say download.CNET.com ) then there is no need to worry. I've got to say that I think it is a perfectly good, FREE product. I've been in the IT industry since the early 1980s and I've probably tried most of the more popular anti-virus programmes and find AVG Free better than many. I think it's much like the discussions on this forum regarding image processing software everyone has their own views, likes and dislikes based on their own experience.

I too have worked IT for many years, mostly in the security and infrastructure areas, and I wouldnt touch AVG with a barge pole. Anything that bundles tame spyware in its download is not going near any machines of mine!

[jamie allan]

Re: Fake Antivirus scam software looks like 'real' software from AVG

I too have worked IT for many years, mostly in the security and infrastructure areas, and I wouldnt touch AVG with a barge pole. Anything that bundles tame spyware in its download is not going near any machines of mine!

Danny,
As I said previously I think it's a case of each to their own. However I would point you to the PC Pro review of AVG Free 2011 http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/softw...e-edition-2011 and the statement

[Danny]

Re: Fake Antivirus scam software looks like 'real' software from AVG

I take your point about personal preferance, no worries, I'm not having a go or anything. Its just regardless of what PC Pro says, I'll not be installing or advising any of my corporate or in house users to install it either.

I think we are both working off previous experiences, one good, one bad, and in our game thats how I think we should work

[Garrie]

Re: Fake Antivirus scam software looks like 'real' software from AVG

I take your point about personal preferance, no worries, I'm not having a go or anything. Its just regardless of what PC Pro says, I'll not be installing or advising any of my corporate or in house users to install it either.

I think we are both working off previous experiences, one good, one bad, and in our game thats how I think we should work

What AV product would you recommend? I'm trying to find a decent alternative to AVG that also doesn't use up a lot of system resource.

Cheers
Garrie

[jamie allan]

Re: Fake Antivirus scam software looks like 'real' software from AVG

Garrie,
If you're looking for a free version that's lighter on system resources Avast used to be highly recommended by PC Pro. However their recent update appears to be causing problems - particularly for users with Win7 64bit. If you're prepared to buy an AV product Norton Internet Security 2011 appears to be rated best. However my previous experience with earlier versions of Nortons would mean I wouldn't buy it - a bit like Danny and my previous correspondence - everyone has their own preferences. Best advice I can give is check the independent sites such as PC Pro and CNET, read the reviews, decide what aspects are best for you and choose from there.

[Danny]

Re: Fake Antivirus scam software looks like 'real' software from AVG

I hate recommending products for peeps, but I do agree with Jamie that Norton can cause lots of resource issues. Avast is ok, but might give you the same problems as you had with AVG. Try some out and find what works for your setup, as everyones is different.

[peak4]

Re: Fake Antivirus scam software looks like 'real' software from AVG

Garrie, Fhere is another possibility which is often overlooked when folks search for free AV software.
If you use internet banking, a number of banks offer free downloads of their preferred software.
HSBC offer free McAfee for instance.

[StephenL]

Re: Fake Antivirus scam software looks like 'real' software from AVG

When I was IT security manager for a major local authority, the best a/v software I found, having conducted thorough trials on test networks, was Sophos. However, this is not easily available for the home market. The problem I found with Norton was it used too many system resources, and Kaspersky was, shall we say, temperamental. I now use the paid-for version of AVG with no problems (touch wood!).

[PaulE]

Re: Fake Antivirus scam software looks like 'real' software from AVG

AVG is odd when I first started using it 3 or 4 years ago it was lite, quick and pretty good as times gone on it gradually became bloated and slowed my computer to crawl on occaisions (and back then the computer would have been extremely quick) it also let a few things through that it really shouldn't have which malware bytes thankfully picked up on before damage was done. Without a doubt it's better than nothing but IMO there is better free AV software out there like Avira or Avast - both better IMO but are pretty basic and again have both let a few things through on friends computers.

As for Norton I would sooner risk running with no AV software or going back to AVG than install any of their crap on any computer I've worked on despite what the tests may say. Over the years the number of computers I've looked at with virus problems that have Norton AV installed and apparantly up to date on them is unreal. In my experience it's perfectly good at hogging resources but pathetic at actually protecting your computer.

Personally I've moved all my and the families computers to Microsoft Security Essentials and haven't looked back. It's quick and efficient and best of all it's free to all genuine Windows owners. When I last looked it scored well in independant tests - I haven't kept an eye on how it performs now against the competition but I'd be surprised if it isn't still among the top scorers.

[AlistairJ]

Re: Fake Antivirus scam software looks like 'real' software from AVG

McAfee stole my money before, so they are never installing software on my computer ever again. My new Dell came with it pre-installed so I removed it and added AVG Free.

[theMusicMan]

Re: Fake Antivirus scam software looks like 'real' software from AVG

What AV product would you recommend? I'm trying to find a decent alternative to AVG that also doesn't use up a lot of system resource.

Cheers
Garrie

Mac. end of.



Me = 5 years with a Mac. No anti virus software installed on it. No virus ever.

Jen (wife) = 4 years with a Mac. No anti virus software installed on it. No virus ever.

Heather= 3 years with a Mac. No anti virus software installed on it. No virus ever.

Lloyd = 3 years with a Mac. No anti virus software installed on it. No virus ever.