How a Vundo Rootkit Can Ruin You Via Paypal or Your Bank Account

Vundo is a Trojan horse that can make your life hell in several different ways.  It can download programs that wreak all kinds of havoc on your computer.  For example, you may see constant pop-ups and your desktop icons may disappear!  But this isn't the worst of it.

Some versions of Vundo download a program known as a rootkit onto your computer.  A rootkit gives a malicious individual complete administrative access to your computer.  Without your ever knowing it, a cyber-criminal with a rootkit could rifle through your entire system, looking for your stored personal information!

This is especially dangerous if you've instructed your browser to save passwords to sites like PayPal or your online banking site.  I don't think I have to tell you how this could get nasty in a hurry.

Moral of the story: don't save important passwords on your browser, and get some software that can defend you from Vundo and rootkits!

XP Defender - A Bogus Program!

It’s kind of scary how these programs like XP Defender try to con people out of their money by pretending to be XP related programs.  What’s sad is that people fall for them.  But that’s how they work. 

XP Defender will scare you by saying your computer is swarming with viruses, insinuate that they’re part of your Windows program, and charge you money for the “registered version” or “upgrade.”  Too bad they don’t just go away after taking your money. 

Nope, they come back later for more. 

What really sucks is that they’re always hard to get rid of.  I know this sounds messed up, but the old viruses are almost at the level of a friendly joke compared to these guys.  Luckily I haven’t seen any that will burn up your computer yet. 

The Scam of XP Antivirus Programs

“Ladies and gentlemen, what I have here is the cause…err…cure for the problems that ail you!  Step right up, step right up!”  Everyone has seen this in the old western movies.  The shifty salesman comes into town, selling snake oil.  The typical ending is that he gets chased out of town, being tarred and feathered.   

Much of the same could be said of the XP Antivirus program and its relatives.  They all claim to be the cure for what would appear to be a horrendous infection.  It only costs $50 or so to “cure your ills.”  Of course, it doesn’t work that way. 

These programs infect your computer.  Then they aim to charge you money to make your problems go dormant for a while.  Of course, they eventually reactivate, and ask for more money.  This is, figuratively, the very same thing the snake oil salesman does. 

Difficulties with XP Antivirus 2009

During my time as a computer technician, it was always good to know if a reported virus infection was XP Antivirus 2009, or XP Antivirus 2008, or any of the other related viruses.  That way, we knew before we even started that it was going to be a more difficult removal process. 

These viruses are just plain nasty!  Not only do they pretend to be legitimate Windows products, not only do they bog down your system with unwanted files and settings, they actually have the gall to demand that you pay them money for it! 

Even worse than that, not many of the legit antivirus programs out there can consistently remove these viruses.  What we need now is a program that can remove these viruses all the time, every time!

Why XP Antivirus & Antivirus 2008 Get Overlooked by Anti-Virus Programs

Programs like Antivirus 2008 and XP Antivirus are malicious fraudware programs that pretend to be real antivirus programs. They pretend to pick up system threats that other programs don't; then they try to get you to buy the "registered" versions.

Unfortunately, they often keep up the charade in front of real antivirus programs, making them look legit. They do this either by generating morphic files, or else hiding files in the System32 folder. If you don't know what these are, just trust me when I say they're pretty sneaky things to do!

I've got a favorite tool called Spyzooka that can fix these kinds of problems. You don't have to try it out--but I think after you've tried some other programs, you might want to!

Facts About Antivirus XP 2008

Antivirus XP 2008 is not a Microsoft Windows Program. It certainly sounds like one. And the slick interface can make it pretty convincing. But don't believe it--it's not made by Microsoft or any related company.

Antivirus XP 2008 is not really an anti-virus program! It's nothing but a fake piece of software. Its primary intention is to get you to pay for its "upgraded" version, and make some cyber-criminals rich in the process. Don't buy it!

Antivirus XP 2008 is hard to detect. Because of the stealthy nature of the product--it can hide in system folders, for example--many anti-virus programs don't pick it up.
I know a secret little program called Spyzooka that does a good job with this kind of program. It can be a relief when nothing else has worked. I'm thankful for it--you may want to try it out too!

Dangers of AntiSpyCheck

AntiSpyCheck is a piece of fraudulent software that will try and trick you out of your money.  How does it do this? 

By downloading itself (unasked for) onto your computer and then displaying fake security threats.  Once it's scared you half out of your hard drive, it will provide a "solution": the paid version of AntiSpyCheck.

But this isn't its only danger.  It may also: 
      Generate unstable system performance (due to eating up resources)
      Hijack your browser, then redirect or change it
      Install other types of adware, spyware, or other malware
      Compromise your privacy and security 

AntiSpyCheck can be a nightmare to manually remove.  It's best to use a legitimate piece of anti-virus software for the purpose.  Make sure you research the next antivirus software you get, just to make sure it's legitimate! 

What To Do If You've Been Had By XP Security Center, XP Antivirus, or Other Fraudware

It's understandable if you were taken in by XP Security Center.  The interface looks so professional, nice and clean.  It may have even detected real threats to your computer, just like it said.  Unfortunately, programs like this often release those very same threats into your computer.  This way, it looks like real anti-spyware that might be worth paying for.  But it's not. 

But many of us are duped.  It's nothing to feel too bad about.  But it IS something you should do something about!  The frauds that came up with XP Security Center, and subsequently took your money, reside in Russia, which will make it damn hard to get your money back.   

Make sure you alert your bank or credit company about your purchase.  Even if you can't get your money back, you can still cancel your card and make sure you don't get charged again!  (This happens, so cancel ASAP!) Then, get yourself some real anti-spyware software and get rid of XP Security Center for good!

XP Security Center Is Not What It Seems!

Ever downloaded something called XP Security Center?  Then you were probably shown a professional-looking software interface that told you there were multiple security threats on your computer.  Unfortunately, these threats--as well as the “anti-spyware” that detected them--were fake. 

Don't blame yourself if you were taken in by this charade.  The interface makes it look awfully professional.  And programs like this do often release minor viruses or other security threats into your system, to make it seem legit. 

Unfortunately, it's not.  Many people who buy this software often find that their credit cards keep getting charged from a location in Russia! The same thing has happened with programs like XP Defender.  This isn't something the FBI or better business bureau can go after.  Make sure you don't buy it--and think about getting some real anti-spyware to clean away every trace of XP Security Center!