Advanced Virus Remover – A Virus Solution It’s Not! - By: Ms Mindy Matter

Security experts estimate that more than fifty million attempts are made to install rogue security programs on individual desktop, laptop, and netbook computers every year. Numbers like that can be overwhelming to computer users everywhere, and as each new problem program is introduced, the risks only increase. One such program, Advanced Virus Remover, has proven difficult for users across the globe.

What Is Advanced Virus Remover?

Advanced Virus Remover behaves like most rogue security applications. The goal here is to get computer users to click through and purchase the full version of the program, and it uses a number of different tactics to ensure you’ll follow through with that action. If you do have it installed on your machine, you might notice any of the following:

• Pop up advertisements suggesting that your computer is infected with viruses or spyware. The only solution to the problem, according to this program, is to click on the pop up advert. Clicking leads you directly to the home page for the program where you’ll be prompted to buy the full version.
• Windows Notification Bubbles that offer dire warnings about the health of your system. Most say something like “System Warning: Intercepting programs that may compromise your privacy and harm your system have been detected on your PC. It’s highly recommended that you scan your PC right now.” Click on it opens a scan window.
• Changes to your computer’s default internet browser. Often your redirect page and/or your browser’s start page will shift to the home page for the program or an associated program. This can only help to further pressure novice users into purchasing the program.
• Continual scans of your PC with Advanced Virus Remover.

The Scan Window

For most, the single most noticeable sign of the program is the scan window itself, and it’s not hard to see why. Because it not only appears right after the program is installed on your machine but also throughout the duration of its life, this is the signal many users recognize right off the bat. It’s fairly authentic looking, which is why lots of individuals decide to go ahead and purchase the program.

The window itself has the traditional Microsoft colors in the top left corner where they typically appear with actual programs. The banner across the top says “Advanced Virus Remover,” and there are tabs for Update, Help, and Support at the top as well. Down the left, you’ll find a menu bar that lists a number of options including Security Status, System Scan, Firewall, Email Protection, Check for Updates, and Settings. Again, because these are the traditional options offered by most typical spyware and virus programs, it’s easy for someone to get sucked into believing this is an actual application instead of rogue security software. In the bottom left corner, a bright orange box that says “Trial Version: Unlock the Full Version” is usually present. Clicking to unlock leads you to the home page for the program where you’ll be asked to purchase it in full.

During the course of the actual scan, results pop up throughout, and many of them have rather scary names. Almost all of the file types say worms, malware, or Trojans, and the scan goes on to define many as high risk applications. For every computer scanned, the results list the critical vulnerabilities that have been found, and in some cases, the names you read there are some of the biggest security risks you read about online. You’re always prompted to purchase the full version so that you can clean your computer to keep it safe from risks like these.

What Did I Do Wrong?

When most people find out they have rogue security programs on their computers, the most common thought is What have I done now? Don’t worry – the chances are good that you didn’t do anything wrong. Rogue programs like these were designed to catch people unaware of their actions, and it wasn’t always doing something that you shouldn’t have that led to the installation of this version on your machine. In many cases, the program was attached to freeware or shareware that you downloaded and added to your computer. More often than not, you weren’t informed of its presence before you got ready to download the program. In some cases, it may have entered your machine because you’re part of a peer to peer file sharing network. It may also have been transmitted via email or thanks to a site you visited. Various websites often unknowingly play host to programs like this one, and just visiting the site can open a security hole in your browser that allows it to install itself on your machine.

Removing Advanced Virus Remover

If you do have Advanced Virus Remover installed on your computer, the most important step you can take is removal. Advanced Virus Remover can create some security problems on your machine, so it’s best to take as many precautions as possible and get rid of it manually or thanks to the help of a solid security suite.

About the Author

By Mindy Matter for http://www.removeadware.com.au/ - Here you'll learn how to remove Advanced Virus Remover: http://www.removeadware.com.au/articles/advanced-virus-remover/ - Please link to this site when using this article.

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