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DADDY BOB'S COMPUTER Q & A
September 27, 2009
Q.
I’m getting a strange message that pops up…
"Windows Security Center malware protection
did not find antivirus software on
computer." Also “Green AV” keeps popping up.
I run my virus program and didn’t find
anything. What’s wrong?
A.
In a nutshell
your computer is infected
with a false anti-virus program called Green
AV. Here is a brief description of it:
"Green
AV is a fake spyware remover that utilizes
slightly different tactics to most other
rogue spyware removers. Green AV claims that
for every product sold, they will donate $2
towards the protection of the environment.
Do not be fooled, though. Green AV cannot
protect your computer, let alone protect the
natural ecosystems. Green AV typically
displays fake security alerts in order to
fool you into believing your PC is infected,
and then prompting you to purchase and
download Green AV in order to combat these
imaginary threats."
You were
probably presented with a notice that your
computer may be infected, and then offered
to run a free scan. When this scan is run,
it actually installs this malware and either
finds non-existent problems or problems that
it has installed itself.
It has
imitated the normal Windows Security message
box and presented you will false reports. I
am, however, at a loss as to why your
anti-virus program didn't detect and remove
it as it is supposed to be one of the best.
Most top of the line anti-virus programs do
a great job of detecting and removing
viruses. However, the greatest treat today
is not from viruses but many other types of
malware and rouge type programs. Anti-virus
programs do not necessarily have as good
results at removing these types of threats.
Windows
Defender, a anti-malware program from
Microsoft that is included with Vista will
also detect and remove it. Apparently a
scheduled scan had not been run or it would
have found and fixed your problem. Windows
Defender only schedules their scans weekly,
but it can also be run manually at any time.
To do so, click the orb, and then enter
defender. Click on Windows Defender and when
it opens, click on Scan in the top menu.
While
running, GreenAV will seemingly scan the
system and display a variety of infections
that can't be removed unless you purchase
the program. The scan results are false and
you should remove this infection from your
PC immediately. It will likely download
additional malware onto your computer. What
is more, it will block antivirus programs
and hijack Internet browsers. As result, you
will be redirected to various untreated and
misleading websites that are full of
advertisements or promote rogue security
programs.
So, how
do you remove it? You can run Windows
Defender manually and that should do it. I
also recommend that you download and run a
program called "Malwarebytes" as it will
remove all remaining traces of Green AV that
Defender may miss. Malwarebytes has a free
version that can be downloaded by clicking
HERE.
There are
many, many others of these rouge
anti-virus/anti-spyware programs, but here
are a few of those that I have had
experiences with lately. They are all pretty
much the same, just different names and
interfaces.
Micro Antivirus 2009
MS Antivirus
Spyware Preventer
Vista Antivirus 2008
Advanced Antivirus
Antivirus 2008
Antivirus 2009
System Antivirus 2008
Ultimate Antivirus 2008
Windows Antivirus
XPert Antivirus
Power Antivirus
Ultra Antivirus 2009
Green AV
Anti-Virus 360
WinDefender
RegistrySmart |
