Spyware Security » Antivirus

Targeting the Source: FAKEAV Affiliate Networks

admin — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:08:27 +0000

The operators of malicious networks are continuously monetizing their activities by propagating rogue security software that use scare tactics to trick unsuspecting users into installing and purchasing fake antivirus software, aka FAKEAV. Although there has been a decline in the FAKEAV volume as a result of the increasing pressure on payment processors that handle credit [...]

Updates on the SK Comms Data Breach

admin — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 19:08:43 +0000

Last week we discussed the SK Communications data breach where a large number of user accounts in South Korea were exposed. The scope appears to be bigger than initially reported, as ESTsoft, a South Korean company that develops software (including antivirus, compression utility software, etc.), came forward with a public notice disclosing that one [...]

Black Hat: Researcher picks apart Sophos antivirus package

admin — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 13:08:51 +0000

A researcher presenting at Black Hat picked apart Sophos Antivirus software and found it lacking in several areas that leave it vulnerable to attack or circumvention – something he says might apply to other antivirus vendors’ products as well, but he just hasn’t looked.

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Malwarebytes preps enterprise edition of PC-cleaning software

admin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:07:01 +0000

Malwarebytes this fall expects to release an enterprise-grade anti-malware platform that it says doesn’t compete directly with traditional antivirus software because it relies more on observing how the malware acts and less on seeking code signatures.

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Targeting the Source: FAKEAV and Malicious Domains

admin — Fri, 06 May 2011 02:05:51 +0000

In order to monetize their malicious activities, botnet operators, spammers, and those behind blackhat search engine optimization (SEO) campaigns create accounts with a network of FAKEAV affiliates. These affiliates supply URLs to landing pages that display false antivirus scanners and that attempt to scare users into installing rogue antivirus software. If users purchase the fake product, [...]

DLL-Based FAKEAV Returns, in the Wild Again

admin — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 04:04:41 +0000

In our previous FAKEAV white paper, we presented how Trend Micro researchers tracked down the evolution of FAKEAV and followed its development behaviorwise from one generation to the next. One of the earlier generations (fourth, to be exact) in the paper comprises DLL-based FAKEAV—fake antivirus that use a .DLL file to perform all of their malicious routines to primarily avoid easy [...]

Man-in-the-Browser attacks target the enterprise

admin — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 19:03:52 +0000

With firewalls, antivirus and other security mechanisms protecting corporate networks, how do attackers manage to penetrate enterprise computer systems? Simply by exploiting the weakest link in the security chain. One of the newest methods is tunnelling in via employees’ browsers using an attack known as “Man-in-the-Browser” (MitB).

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Battle of the Security Superpowers

admin — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 14:12:08 +0000

It’s no longer enough for antivirus software to scan files on your PC. You need someone looking over your shoulder and telling you whether it’s safe to click that link; whether the popup for that software update is legitimate; and whether that download from your favorite social network is actually a tool created by organized [...]

FAKEAV 101: How to Tell If Your Antivirus Is Fake

admin — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 14:12:47 +0000

Fake antivirus or FAKEAV has become a significant threat and more and more users have become victims of this profitable scam. Trend Micro and the rest of the security industry continues to work hard to protect users against this threat. However, educating and informing users about this scam is more effective than any technical solution [...]

Avast Free Antivirus 5: Good All-Around Option

admin — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 22:11:03 +0000

Avast Free Antivirus 5 took the top spot in our late 2010 roundup of free antivirus software. It provides good, all-around malware detection in a speedy, well-designed package. We liked its easy installation process, smooth interface design, and minimal impact in system performance. However, although it wins out overall, its malware detection, while good, isn’t [...]