AntiSpywareMaster atack
May 7th, 2008
A few days ago, while I was working peacefully at my computer, I was suddenly bombarded with a lot of popups, telling me that my computer is very infected with a lot of trojans, spyware, malware, malicious code and other. My desktop has become red with an ugly, red, big mug in the center. A program came from nowhere and called AntiSpywareMaster scans my computer but when I push the remove button, it asks me to buy it. Fortunately, I was still able to use my computer, so I’ve searched on Google for AntiSpywareMaster to see how effective it was for cleaning my computer. And here is what I’ve found:
AntiSpywareMaster is a rogue anti spyware infection whose intent is to fool the user into believing that their system is infected with various viruses. AntiSpywareMaster is typically downloaded through video codecs on some less than desirable sites. AntiSpywareMaster comes complete with a compelling spyware search tool that runs a fake system scan of your system on its own. Upon running, AntiSpywareMaster will prompt the user to download and pay for a full license copy in order to remove the infections. DON’T BUY IT! AntiSpywareMaster displays infections that are false and do not exist. Here are some screenshots:
Many people have buyed it and said that the application didn’t do anything. It’s a worthless application, created just for trick you.
I’ve found on the internet some programs which pretend they remove this application from your computer, but they require buying a license. So I don’t know how trustful they are.
The only thing you have to do is to remove manually this malware from your computer. I’ve found 2 methods and I give here the links, because these methods are too long to display here entirely.
1. On the first method you must stop the process from Task Manager, to find some files called AntiSpywareMaster.exe, AntiSpywareMaster7.3.exe, or the same with .dll extension and to remove them and also you have to remove some registry keys. You can see here detailed instructions.
Of course, in my case, I didn’t found any of the AntiSpywareMaster file, and my Task Manager didn’t worked anymore. It says that “Task Manager was disabled by administrator”. Though the application was still running in my computer, because more and more popups have coming and saying that my computer is infected. So I’ve searched for another method.
2. Here is a detailed removal process in 15 steps. You must follow all of these steps and do exactly what they told you to do. It’s a long process, but it worth the effort. Finally, after 2 days and a night while I was struggling with this malicious program, at step 10 I was get rid of it. I’ve followed all the rest of the steps though, to be sure that everything its ok.
In conclusion, my advices are:
1. Don’t download anything from a site you don’t trust it!
2. Don’t buy AntiSpywareMaster program!
Stumble this post!If you liked this post, please consider to subscribe to my RSS feed.
If you want to receive new posts directly to your inbox, you can subscribe by Email.
Entry Filed under: General
This is a very useful info…thanks Diana…
nimrodjo’s last blog post..Do You Have Your Online Community?
I am one of those people that hate to deal with virus software, they tend to slow a PC down and that is the only thing I use to measure if a tool works – does it slow my PC.
Richard McLaughlin’s last blog post..Widget Building
Same thing happend to me and my friend who lives in my complex. I had to run smitfraudfix on bot computers to remove the rest of the files… simply doing the add/remove did not work, it booted back up when i restarted windows. i think booting in safe mode was the key. You are right though, DO NOT download anything from a site you do not trust!
Miles Carzeski’s last blog post..How to Disable Desktop Cleanup Wizard
I use AVG AntiSpyware free edition, and all this time it serves me well.
bosbecak’s last blog post..The Facts About Pagerank
say yes to antispyware
I’ve enjoyed reading all your link building posts.
My system was once infected with over a 1000 such files! I had to do an entire formatting again to get it up and running….
Watch The Secret Life Of The American Teenager Online’s last blog post..Watch The Secret Life Of The American Teenager Season 1 Episode 4 Online
I know the program No Adware can get rid of this type of spyware. You can get a free scan at the website spyware fix
Am using AVG now a days.. and AVG 8 have an antispyware system in built in it!
vishnu @ beautiful minds’s last blog post..WebHostGeeks – for those who are in search of a good host
I’ve enjoyed reading all your link building posts.
Finally a program that actually works, the programs that I used to have instead killing the spams they add more spam. People these pops that tell you that you have viruses are all not true. They just want you to buy there bad programs.
Sarah Hayes’s last blog post..Mayra Veronica Rang the NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell!
There are tons of programs that act like this. Many actually serve as downloaders for malware and spyware.
I think this is good news for all PC users though I must say that I’m a bit wary about spywares still
I have heard that some spy wares can ruin the hardware more effectively. Now that is not good news to me because hardware costs money! Can anyone tell me effective ways to protect my hardware.
Tech Forum’s last blog post..Western Digital My Book Essential Edition 2.0 WDH1U7500 Hard Drive
I use AVG AntiSpyware free edition.
There are a few others that work well too – Microsoft’s Antispyware tool called Window’s Defender and AdAware.
I use these tools but once in a while I also have to use Spybot Search and Destroy. Sometimes when the computer gets really loaded up with spyware, I’ll use ERD Commander to do a roll back.
Very nice soft. I think this is the best protection soft from spyware. Thx
It’s always good to see people share such vital info.There are tons of programs that act like this. Many actually serve as downloaders for malware and spyware.
i was also fooled by this software
now I have a lot of spyware, anyone know a good real anti-spyware soft?
At least this one exists for a reason. Don’t get me wrong, I hate scams like this but at least the coders had a reason to create it. The worst are the viruses that are just malicious for no reason whatsoever. It’s like “why would you do that?!”
Tipsy´s last blog post..Pazurki od Eweliny
I am using a NOD32 personal security . Nice firewall proitection and atyspyware! Download
I am using a NOD32 Samrt security + Antivirus + Firewall + atyspyware!
At least this one exists for a reason. Don’t get me wrong, I hate scams like this but at least the coders had a reason to create it. The worst are the viruses that are just malicious for no reason whatsoever. It’s like “why would you do that?!”
Tipsy´s last blog post..Pazurki od Eweliny
Many antispyware programs give free download so that when you run it it places adware on your computer and then state that you must buy the registered version in order to remove the adware and spyware
Most antispywares download viruses, etc on your computer to trick you into buying the antispyware software
As a result, Web sites can track your browsing habits, corrupt your data, or even steal your identity. In the worst cases, spyware can track your keystrokes and deliver passwords and online account details into dubious hands. It will also start slowing down your computer’s performance.
Never seen this one before what a scam, shame for the folk that pay to get it removed
sweet post! thanks