Another Day With My PC

Many computer users who are looking for anti spyware programs on the Internet may end up with a product that claims to be anti spyware… but in actuality, it’s actually spyware itself. Instead of removing the unwanted items from your computer, which is what true anti spyware software does, these bogus software programs actually install more spyware on your system, usually so the developer can profit from taking control of your computer system and web browsing abilities. Anti spyware programs are not the only ones being exploited, fakes also masquerade as anti virus and registry cleaner software as well.

Before purchasing, downloading, or installing any anti spyware software, do a little bit of research. Never install software on your computer unless you are positive you understand exactly what the software will do. Research some of the reputable anti spyware titles, and find the software which is verified and recognized as an actual anti spyware program, instead of just choosing the first anti spyware program you find online. Software which is one type and pretends to be another type is called rogue software, and that is what the fake anti spyware programs are.

If you are looking for a good reputable anti spyware program to keep your computer safe, there are some products that you should avoid, because they are rogue software instead of actual anti spyware programs. WinFixer and WinAntiVirus Pro 2006 are both spyware programs which masquerade as anti spyware software, and these programs try to pass themselves off as official programs from Windows just by the name of the product. Users believe they are installing a legitimate anti spyware or virus program from Windows, and instead spyware is installed.

SpyProtect, SpyShredder, SpyDawn, SpyLocked, Your Privacy Guard, AntiVirus Gold, PAL Spyware remover, and SpyAxe are all products which claim to be anti spyware programs but these products are in fact spyware instead, and these are just a small fraction of the true number of rogue software programs which pretend to be anti spyware. All of these software titles have been verified as spyware, and are known offenders who install their software under false pretenses for malicious purposes, without the informed consent of the user.

Fake anti spyware programs have become so common that there are banner advertisements all over the web for these products. Secure Computer was the first rogue software developer to be sued, and this was done in the beginning of 2006, in a suit filed by the Washington state attorney general and Microsoft over the product Spyware Cleaner. By the end of the year Secure Computer had settled with the state of Washington for a one million dollar sum, but Microsoft was not included in this settlement and their case is still pending.

Ad-Aware is a anti spyware program which has a free version available, and this software is a legitimate anti spyware program. This program and hundreds of others actually do what they advertise. Unfortunately, because of the rogue software out there pretending to be anti spyware when it is not, you should be cautious and verify the anti spyware that you choose before you install it.

Have you noticed it?

Apparently, Microsoft has incorporated the images of three men sporting wide grins on the installation disks of Windows Vista (Business Edition). Those who were meticulous or curious enough to scrutinize the hologram must have thought that their copy was a crack.

I’m sure the operating system’s maker has received many calls regarding this. For the ordinary users who just want to get the software out of the box and install it on their PC, the find must have baffled them and made them wonder if their copy is truly genuine. Indeed, one would probably expect the logo of Microsoft to be the one depicted on the security sticker instead of three unknown faces, or that if Microsoft insisted on putting a face on the hologram, it should’ve been Bill Gates’.

Genuine Grins

The Vista maker allayed fears regarding the discovery. They belied suspicions or claims that copies bearing the grinning faces of the three grinning men were either hacked or carry add-ons that might significantly subtract the number of files in their hard drive. One of the reasons why many consumers are avoiding pirated copies of operating systems or even ordinary programs is due to the fact that a good number of them contain malicious codes.

It’s not surprising why many pirated copies of programs contain unwanted appendages. Antiviruses, spam guards, and registry cleaners have gotten more efficient in handling dangerous system intrusions. Thus, spyware authors have to find another way to infiltrate heavily-guarded PCs.

Welcome

The easiest way to get in to a computer is by letting the owner open its door for you. Hackers do this by disguising their malicious programs as legitimate ones, or incorporating them to the same. Thus, victims often find themselves being confronted by pop ups or unusual messages even if they haven’t opened any unknown file or accessed an infected Web site. Trouble knocked at their door and they immediately opened it.

Be careful when purchasing copies of programs from dubious stores or sources. They may offer you copies of applications that may seem to be genuine, but in truth are cracked copies that contain unwanted features. The caveat goes double for those who are buying pirated copies of various programs. The chances of getting registry-wrecking malware are significantly high when purchasing cracked programs. The few extra bucks that you’ll save from buying pirated software are not worth the troubles that you might probably get from malicious add-ons.

Mixed Reactions

I guess many were already relieved and enlightened on the mystery behind the three men in the Vista hologram. Microsoft assured its clients that those three are not hackers, but are in fact part of the designing team which made the security sticker. As for those who were hoping that the sticker would lead them to other hidden treats, the news came as a disappointment since they thought that Microsoft was up to something when it featured the three guys on the hologram.

Whether you’re installing genuine or pirated software, always have it scanned by antivirus or anti-spyware programs. It’s also equally important to check the integrity of your Windows registry after introducing new programs into your system.

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