Rogue/Fake

AVbytes Win 8 Antivirus 2015 is a rogue anti-virus program from the Rogue.FakeRean-Braviax family of computer infections. It is designed to scare users into believing that their computers are infected with high-risk malware and viruses. This program is classified as a rogue because it pretends to be an anti-virus program, but instead displays bogus scan results, and does not allow you to run your normal applications. Once installed, AVbytes Win 8 Antivirus 2015 will be automatically launched every time you start your computer. The rogue application will then perform a full system scan just like legitimate AV scanners do. The security alerts displayed by AVbytes Win 8 Antivirus 2015 state that dangerous infections have been found on your computer. However, these presented scan results have, in fact, no real value. The main idea behind such unwanted apps is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device. The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit certain websites. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your operating system.

Windows Prime Shield is a fake antivirus program that presents itself as a legitimate security solution. It uses scare tactics, such as displaying fake security alerts and pretending to scan your computer for threats, to convince users that their systems are infected. The program then prompts users to purchase a license to remove the supposed infections. However, all the scan results it presents are false, and purchasing the license only results in financial loss. Windows Prime Shield is considered an unwanted application due to its deceptive practices and the potential harm it can cause to a computer system. It uses scare tactics to convince users that their computers are infected and then prompts them to purchase a license to remove the supposed infections. However, all the scan results it presents are false, and purchasing the license only results in financial loss. Furthermore, Windows Prime Shield can block you from running legitimate applications on your computer, potentially disrupting your work or other activities. It can also cause other issues, such as slowing down your computer or causing it to crash.

24/7 PC Guard Support is a fraudulent virus removal support service that uses deceptive tactics to trick unsuspecting computer users. The rogue company behind this scam uses a fake antivirus program called PC Guard to present users with a false online security warning message, stating that their computer is infected with viruses. The program reports fake security infections and indicates non-existent registry entries supposedly related to virus infections. It's important to note that these online security threats are false and are used to scare users into purchasing unnecessary services or software. 24/7 PC Guard Support is considered an unwanted application because it provides no real value to the user and instead uses deceptive tactics to trick users into purchasing unnecessary services or software. The program harasses the victim with numerous fake error messages and a bogus system scan, all claiming that the victim's computer is severely infected with worms, trojans, keyloggers, and other types of malware. If you suspect that your computer is infected with 24/7 PC Guard Support or any other unwanted application, it's recommended to use a trustworthy malware removal tool to remove it. These tools can efficiently check for and remove many common infections. It's also recommended to keep your software updated, enable two-factor authentication, and review your financial statements closely for any suspicious activity.

Artificius is a rogue browser based on the Chromium open-source project, which is primarily developed and maintained by Google. Chromium's codebase is widely used and forms the foundation for many popular browsers, including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Vivaldi. However, unlike these legitimate browsers, Artificius is associated with harmful activities and is classified as a potentially unwanted application (PUA). Artificius Browser is a rogue browser that exhibits functionalities associated with browser-hijacking software. When using this browser, opening a new tab or window, or entering a search query into the URL bar, results in redirects to the artificius.com website, a fake search engine. It's important to note that Artificius can infiltrate systems alongside additional harmful content, making it a potential threat to your device's security. Rogue browsers like Artificius may appear legitimate and harmless, often offering a range of "useful" and "advantageous" functionalities. However, these features seldom work as advertised, and in most cases, they do not work at all. Even if a piece of software operates as indicated by its promotional material, that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

Smart Security, in this malicious context, is an example of a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). PUAs refer to applications installed in a device that may pose a high risk or have an untoward impact on user security and/or privacy. They may also contribute to consuming computing resources. PUAs can include applications that bundle other unwanted software, display excessive advertisements, collect information without users' consent, or exhibit other unwanted behavior. If your computer is infected with the Smart Security rogue scanner, it's important to remove it. This can be a complex process, as the program often disables the operating system's Task Manager and disallows execution of Internet browsers. A detailed removal guide is available below in the article.

Windows Internet Watchdog is a rogue antivirus program that masquerades as a legitimate security software. It is part of the FakeVimes family of fake antivirus programs, which also includes variants like Windows Web Watchdog, Windows Antibreach Patrol, and Windows Pro Defence Kit. This software is designed to scare users into believing their systems are infected with high-risk malware by reporting non-existent security infections. Once installed, Windows Internet Watchdog modifies the registry entries of the affected operating system, blocking the execution of installed programs, including internet browsers, and disabling the Task Manager. It configures itself to start automatically on each system startup, similar to ransomware infections. It then performs fake scans, reporting numerous non-existent infections. The software then prompts the user to purchase a 'license key' for $99.90 to remove the supposed infections.

PixelSee is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that claims to be a high-quality video player supporting various formats and codecs. It allows users to play media files stored on their computer or online and offers features like Chromecast support, playlist management, and subtitle selection. However, PixelSee is often promoted through deceptive web popups and may be bundled with other unwanted programs. It is considered a PUP due to its dubious promotion methods and potentially undesirable functionalities, such as tracking user data and resource usage. PixelSee is classified as an unwanted application due to its deceptive promotion methods and potentially harmful functionalities. It may track user data, use the device's resources, and display advertisements. Additionally, it may be bundled with other unwanted or hazardous software. To remove PixelSee and any associated malware, users can follow a removal guide provided below.

Chromstera is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that is based on Chromium, an open-source web browser project. It disguises itself as a legitimate browser, but it is actually a browser hijacker. This means it can modify your browser settings without your consent, such as changing your homepage or search engine preferences, redirecting your searches, and displaying unwanted ads. While these activities can be disruptive and frustrating, they generally don’t cause direct harm to your computer or data. However, Chromstera's actions can still be detrimental to your online privacy and browsing experience, as it may collect your browsing data to serve targeted ads. Chromstera is considered an unwanted application due to its intrusive behavior and potential privacy risks. It can make undesirable changes to your browser, such as modifying your homepage or search engine preferences, redirecting your searches, and displaying unwanted ads. These activities can disrupt your online experience and slow down your computer's performance.