I was at a website and all of the sudden, what looked like a legitimate Windows message box popped up that said "If your computer is infected, you could suffer data loss, erratic PC behaviour, PC freezes and crahes. Detect and remove viruses before they damage your computer." (behavior and crashes were misspelled in the message box) It goes on to say that XP antivirus will check my computer for free, when I hit cancel it took me to a page with another (cheesey looking) message box and is asking me to download the file. I'm sure I shouldn't download, but even when I click the ignore button I get 'do you want to run or save this file', I hit cancel and am taken back to the cheesey looking message box. Do I have a virus? Am I at risk? How do I close that page?
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4 responses so far ↓
1 terri // Mar 29, 2008
I found this on a website:
XPAntiVirus is a rogue antivirus software that, when runs, display false results as a tactic to scare you into purchasing the software. When XPAntivirus is first installed it will create 9 entries in your Windows Registry that impersonate infections on your machine. In reality, though, these registry entries are harmless and have absolutely no effect on your computer. Instead, these entries are set so that XP AntiVirus can find them when scanning your computer and report them as infections. In order to remove these fake infections you need to purchase the software as the trial does not allow you to remove them.
As you can see this program is fraudware in that makes changes on your computer and then states these changes are infections as a scare tactic to have you purchase the software. It goes without saying that under no circumstances should you buy it. The program does come with a removal option in the computer's Add or Remove Programs list, but when you attempt to uninstall it, all that happens is the entry is removed from the list and program's process is terminated. Next time you reboot, XP AntiVirus will start up again.
I'm including the link below because it has directions as to how to remove it. It sounds like it isn't a virus, but uses scare tactics to get you to purchase their software.
2 Andy // Mar 29, 2008
It isn't a scam, but its most likely to be a form of virus or spy ware. A quick solution to close the window would be using the ctr-alt-Del keys to open the task manager, then manually end the task (windows). But I'd advise u to get it checked out and removed, u can't take any chances with viruses or that sort. Some good free spy ware/ virus removal programs include ad-aware, downloadable at lavasoft.com. Also, make sure that your existing antivirus/spyware programs are up to date. (i personally use Mozilla Firefox as my web browser coz its safer and less prone to infections unlike Internet Explorer) cheers
3 Christ K // Mar 29, 2008
Yes, you have Smitfraud , this virus advertises other companies ! Yes XP antivirus is SCAM! I recomend you download Spybot search and destroy from http://www.download.com .
OR you could download SUPERantispyware (has a very high detection rate)
http://www.download.com/SUPERAntiSpyware-Free-Edition/3000-8022_4-10523889.html?tag=lst-1
Hope this Helps!
4 Geolyk // Oct 23, 2008
boot XP windows i safe mode with networking
get norton security scan (it is free) as part of google software pack
run it
it is safe and it works
install a free antivirus (avg free is suberb)
scan the whole computer
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