Spyware Removal News

Third party software leaves users open to security risks

Users should make sure to keep their third party software patched, lest they expose themselves to malware and other security risks.

FBI used spyware to catch cable cutting extortionist

The FBI used spyware to catch a Massachusetts man who tried to extort money from Verizon Communications Inc. and Comcast Corp. by cutting 18 cables carrying voice and data in 2005, documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by Wired.com revealed yesterday.

Warning over PCs still at risk from Conficker

One in five PCs is still at risk of being attacked by the Conficker worm, despite the copious warnings about the need to patch vulnerable machines.

How to remove Spyware Protect 2009 (Spyware Protect 2009 removal)

Spyware Protect 2009 is a rogue anti-malware program that uses false results, fake malware, and fake security alerts to scare you into purchasing the software. Historically, Spyware Protect 2009 has been installed via a variety of Trojans and malware.

How to remove WinSpywareProtect (WinSpywareProtect removal)

Updated Conficker Ropes Victims into Rogue Antivirus Scam

An updated version of the Conficker worm is installing malware that attempts to lure people into buying rogue anti-virus software. Security researchers also say the worm is downloading malware tied to the notorious Waledac botnet.

Microsoft warns of monster patch day next week

Microsoft Corp. today said it will issue eight security updates on Tuesday, the most since October 2008, to patch problems in Windows, Internet Explorer (IE), DirectX, Excel, Word and the company's security software.

Microsoft: Scareware, PDF exploits rise

The use of scareware and exploits that take advantage of common file formats like PDF, Excel and Word rose in the second half of last year as online scammers realized people are getting smarter about recognizing spam and phishing e-mails, according to a Microsoft security report released on Wednesday.

How to remove XP Shield (XP Shield removal)

XP-Shield is a rogue anti-spyware program that is in the same family as AntiVirProtect and WinXProtector. When XP-Shield is installed, it will scan your computer and list a variety of security risks that can only be removed if you first purchase the software.

SRI releases Conficker scanner source code

The experts at SRI International, who have been tracking the Conficker worm as closely as anyone, have released the source code to the scanner they wrote to detect the active P2P scanning that Conficker-infected machines perform.

Spam in the Neighborhood

It seems like everyone is putting out their spam stats this week. It was inevitable that mass mailers would begin using more localized information to target their spam at end users, if you think about it they've already been doing that for a long time, depending on what language the messages display when they arrive in your inbox.

The Confounding Case of Conficker

An interesting bird this Conficker. A botnet, a worm, a USB infection... a media darling and technological masterpiece, yet, a wraith whose true intentions have yet to have been laid bare. An April Fools' Day joke punch line undelivered.

Attackers exploit critical PowerPoint vulnerability

For the second time in five weeks, Microsoft Corp. warned that hackers were exploiting a critical unpatched bug in its popular Office application suite. In a pre-patch security advisory issued late yesterday, Microsoft confirmed that attackers were using rigged PowerPoint files to trigger the vulnerability in older editions of the presentation maker.

Microsoft: Old Worm Copies Conficker for New Twist

A new version of the Neeris worm is exploiting the same Microsoft flaw as Conficker. The Neeris worm dates back to 2005, according to Microsoft. An updated version of an old worm is targeting the same Microsoft vulnerability exploited by variants of Conficker.

Simple Conficker test for end users

Once a Conficker infection is suspected on a system, the anti-virus software installed on that system can no longer be trusted. The malware terminates a number of security mechanisms and prevents the start of certain programs.

Malicious sites jump 200 percent

The threat from Web-based malware is growing at a rapid pace, with nearly 200 percent more malicious sites identified this month, according to a new report from MessageLabs.

Confickers Big Day Passes Quietly, but Was It Really a Bust?

April 1 has come and gone in some parts of the world, and the Conficker worm is still here. While the day in security passed by relatively uneventfully, there are still people at risk.

Monthly Malware Statistics: March 2009

There were no significant changes to this ranking in March. The network worm Net-Worm.Win32.Kido.ih, also known as Conficker and Downadup, topped the list. However, we don't expect to see the latest version of this now infamous malicious program among the leaders in the following months.

GhostNet shows extent of online spying

As a result of some tremendous work done by researchers at the University of Toronto, we now know that there is an enormous network of compromised machines in more than 100 countries around the world, many of them in government agencies, embassies and other sensitive locations.

How to remove Spyware Guard 2008 and Spyware Guard 2009 (Spyware Guard 2008 and Spyware Guard 2009 removal)

Spyware Guard 2008 is a rogue anti-spyware program that uses deceptive advertising methods. This program is promoted through the use of fake online anti-malware scanners that state your computer is infected and that you should download and install Spyware Guard 2008 to protect it.