Fake antivirus

Fake antivirus translates (and completed): fake antivirus software. Refers to useless or even malicious software that supposedly detects and eliminates viruses and other malware. It is mostly spread on the Internet via fake virus alerts. Fake antivirus programs are scams. This is because cybercriminals demand money for the removal of non-existent viruses. Therefore, fake antivirus programs are classified as malware.

What does the term fake antivirus mean in detail?

Typical distribution channel: Internet

• While surfing, a warning appears that viruses or other malware have been found on your computer.
• A program to eliminate the alleged malware is offered directly for purchase or download (and later purchase).
• The scare and fear of malware are used as psychological tricks to trick the user into circumventing their usual precautions.

What does the download contain?

• It often contains a dummy program whose sole purpose is to prompt the user to purchase a program license. This can be done, among other things, by:
  • Pop-ups with more fake virus warnings
  • Supposed system crashes (which are actually animations)
• Locking system functions, supposedly to protect against the supposed virus
• The appearance of these bogus programs often resembles that of legitimate antivirus software.
• Ironically, this download may contain additional malware (e.g., Trojans contained).

Other ways of spreading fake antivirus programs

• Email scams
• Fake or hacked websites
• Other malware that the fake antivirus program downloads to the infected computer
• Sometimes, fake antivirus programs even appear in search engines, as ads, or as a result. They are only visible until they are found and deleted by the search engine operators.

Where do I encounter fake antiviruses in my everyday work?

Fake virus or malware alerts can come your way at any time:

• When browsing the Internet
• When working normally on the computer (if it has already been infected) or
• Possibly also by a frightened colleague who shows you such a warning on his computer and asks you for your advice

What can I do to protect myself from a fake antivirus?

When a virus alert occurs

• Do not respond on the computer. The best thing to do is to move away from the computer. Why? Because fake antivirus software exploits the human fear response. Fear prevents clear thinking. As a result, users install and/or pay for fake antivirus software without their usual security precautions and checks.
• Contact your administrator. He verifies:
  • Is this warning from the antivirus program your company uses?
  • If the warning does not come from “your” antivirus program, it is a fake antivirus program
  • They will check the alleged finding through the legitimate antivirus program used by your company. It probably doesn’t find a virus.

Prevention

Many measures to increase your company’s cybersecurity also protect against fake antivirus software. In particular:

• Always keep your operating system and software up to date.
• Make sure you have a reputable, always up-to-date virus scanner. This detects malware and gives you additional security against fake warning messages.
• When choosing a new antivirus software, check the legitimacy of your top candidate(s). For example, whether they are recommended by the Federal Office for Information Security .
• Always check programs you download from the Internet for legitimacy.
• Cultivate extreme distrust.

Fake antivirus programs are designed to look as legitimate as possible, but no reputable antivirus program will scan your computer without your permission. No reputable antivirus program will ask you to pay before it will eliminate an infection it detects. If you encounter such processes, it is fake antivirus software.