Does Spyware Protect Actually Protect?

Rogue antivirus programs love to use pop-ups to persuade computer users to buy their full software versions.  And they can be very convincing too.  It is important to learn how to recognize the rogue from the real and avoid installing useless software onto your computer. Programs like Spyware Protect offer to provide great protection but manage only to leave an empty space in your wallet.

What is Spyware Protect?

Spyware is a rogue antivirus program, whose only goal is to urge you to buy their software.  Unfortunately, their goal stops short of actually offering reliable protection.  In order to convince you that your computer is in danger, Spyware Protect runs false scans and issues security warnings.  As an ad, Spyware Protect’s “scan” cannot actually scan your computer.  So what are the infections it has found?  They are either made up entirely or are the file names of legitimate programs.  As such, they do not pose any threat to your computer.  In fact, removing the legitimate ones can negatively impact the functioning of your system. It is strongly recommended that you avoid any ads for Spyware Protect and never purchase this program.  It cannot be emphasized strongly enough that this program cannot protect your computer from security threats, and in fact actually causes many of its own.

How Does Spyware Protect Enter My System?

Many people opt to purchase Spyware Protect because, as we will see, these ads are very convincing and appear to come from legitimate antivirus programs. This is one way that it gains access to computer systems, but it has others.  Traditionally, this program has been spread through trojans.  Since early 2009, Spyware Protect has been advertised and carried by the Conflicker worm.  This worm usually doesn’t affect home computers because they are protected by reliable antivirus programs and firewalls.  But it may enter computers that are used at different locations.  For instance, if you use your notebook at a different network and bring it home, you may bring Conflicker in that way. 

Another way it can gain access is through USB peripherals. For instance, if a camera or mp3 player is plugged into a different machine, they may pick up the Conflicker worm.  The worm places an autorun file in the device, and when it is plugged into another computer, it starts to run.  In this way, it can pass to other computers through removable devices. 

Again, most home computers are safe from the Conflicker worm, especially if antivirus software is kept updated.  If Conflicker does get in, though, it can bring Spyware Protect in with it.

What Will I Notice if Spyware Protect is Installed?

The first, and probably the most visible, sign of Spyware Protect’s presence in your system is pop-ups.  These take the form of false warning scans and messages.  Spyware Protect may install icons in your taskbar that will reveal the following alert when clicked on:

Windows Security alert

Windows reports that computer is infected. Antivirus software helps to protect your computer against viruses and other security threats. Click here for the scan your computer. Your system might be at risk now.

The scan results look very similar to those of reputable antivirus software programs.  In the top corner you will notice the Spyware Protect name.  A list of malware is presented (all false positives), including the “critical” threat, LdPinch V, which Spyware Protect identifies as a key logger.  Another one is Bancos DMD, another keyword logger which can steal passwords.

What makes Spyware Protect so convincing is the legitimate appearance and the type of threats it claims to find.  No one wants their passwords or other sensitive personal and financial information taken by a third party.  No one wants a program in their system that hijacks their email account.  This increases the urge that computer owners have to protect their system and lends Spyware Protect unwarranted credibility. 

Spyware Protect may also modify your browser settings so it is able to hijack your homepage.  Instead of seeing the homepage you selected, you will be directed to a site selling Spyware Protect.  It is the same with the taskbar icons or desktop shortcuts that may be installed on your computer.  At every turn, you are confronted with more warnings of malware and urged to buy the full version of Spyware Protect.

Not so visible but definitely a major change caused by Spyware Protect is a general slowdown in computer performance.  Spyware Protect lodges itself in your registry and is able to launch itself whenever you start your computer.  It remains in the background, constantly running.  This takes an enormous amount of power – as much as eighty percent of your CPU usage – and requires your legitimate programs to run on much less.  You will notice that everything takes much longer, even simply jobs like opening a desktop program or loading a web page.  Your internet connection also slows. 

In the long-term, Conflicker may be able to bring in more malware by exploiting security weaknesses.  If you do have Spyware Protect, take immediate steps to remove it from your system.  If your computer is operating normally, make sure to take precautions to keep Conflicker and malware out.  Make sure your security settings and software are up to date.

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