Advanced XP Defender Threat Level:

Advanced XP Defender is more fake anti-spyware, a clone of WinIFixer. Advanced XP Defender runs fake “security” scans and pops up exaggerated security alerts to try and trick you into buying Advanced XP Defender. These Advanced XP Defender popups read:

Malware and harmful software were found
Online scanner detected software [SIC] may compromise your privacy or damage your computer

The only “malware and harmful software” you’re infected with is Advanced XP Defender. Skip wasting $49.95-99.95 at AdvancedXPDefender.com –

It’d make more sense to just throw your PC against the wall.

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XP-Shield 2.1 Threat Level:

XP-Shield 2.1 is more fake anti-spyware. XP-Shield 2.1 runs fake “security” scans and pops up exaggerated security alerts to try and trick you into buying XP-Shield 2.1. These XP-Shield 2.1 popups read:

Windows has detected virus or spyware activity on your computer. It is strongly recomnded that you obtain antivirus and antispyware protection software. Windows will now perform a search for installed antivirus and antispyware applications.
Found antivirus/antispyware:
XP-Sheild… UNREGISTERED VERSION
Continue Unprotected [or] Get Full version of XP-Shield Now!

Remove XP-Shield 2.1, if only because XP-Shield 2.1 may make you want to throw your PC out the window.

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AntiMalwareGuard Threat Level:

AntiMalwareGuard is just more fake anti-spyware. AntiMalwareGuard may have been installed by a Trojan. AntiMalwareGuard launches fake system alerts. This AntiMalwareGuard popup is supposed to scare you into buying the fake antispyware. It reads:

“It is highly recommended to get a full version of AntiMalwareGuard protection software in order to fix all malicious codes. Click here to start registration and have all the malware away from your PC thereafter.”

It is highly recommended unless you like getting ripped off, don’t download AntiMalwareGuard. If you already paid for this piece of crap, you can try AntiMalwareGuard.com’s refund policy. But if I had a choice between dealing with them and throwing my PC out the window, I think you know what I’d do.

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W32.Myzor.FK@yf Threat Level:

W32.Myzor.FK@yf is a fake virus that appears in popups by browser hijackers (think PureSafetyHere.com). W32.Myzor.FK@yf popups are trying to scare you into buying rogue anti-spyware, such as AntiSpyware Shield, XP Antivirus 2008, and WinSpyKiller. This W32.Myzor.FK@yf popup reads:

Warning! W32.Myzor.FK@yf is a virus that infects files with .exe extensions. It attempts to steal passwords and private information from the infected computer.
Type: Virus
Infection Length: 138,293 bytes
Systems Affected: Windows 95, 98, ME, NT (all versions), 2003, Windows XP (all service packs)
Systems Not Affected: DOS, EPOC, Linux, Macintosh, Novell Netware, OS/2, UNIX
Technical details: Creates files in %Windir%\ directory. By default, this is C:\Windows.
Adds values to registry keys: HKEY_LOCAL_MNACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Scans the hard drive for .exe files and infects any executable files. Searches for passwords/information, which it may send to a remote attacker.
Recomendations [SIC]: Click “OK” to download officially approved security software.
Always keep your patch levels up-to-date.

Always keep a healthy skepticism would be a better recommendation.

You’re not infected with W32.Myzor.FK@yf: you’re infected with fake anti-spyware.

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MalwareScanner Threat Level:

MalwareScanner is more fake anti-spyware.

You have to manually download MalwareScanner. Once you make that mistake, MalwareScanner tries to scare you into buying it with MalwareScanner popups and exaggerated scans. Unless you like getting ripped off, don’t buy MalwareScanner.

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DangerousVirus Threat Level:

DangerousVirus is a “virus” that appears in fake security alerts from rogue antispyware. DangerousVirus popups could read:

“Your computer was infected with DangerousVirus.
It’s dangerous for your system, some files can be lost and your browser can be slow!
Click OK to download the antispyware program to clean your computer! (Recommended)”

or

“Your browser was hijacked by DangerousVirus.”

This DangerousVirus popup is supposed to scare you into buying the fake antispyware. You may have caught “DangerousVirus” by a drive-by download, or getting tricked into downloading a fake video codec.

Unless you like getting ripped off, don’t download the software the DangerousVirus popup links to. You’re not really infected with DangerousVirus — you’re infected with fake anti-spyware that you need to remove.

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SpyMan Threat Level:

SpyMan is a keylogger that tracks your emails, chats, instant messages, and keystrokes typed. SpyMan might have been installed for legitimate purposes — like monitoring children’s Internet safety — but SpyMan may be catching your username and passwords for accounts, tracking your online conversations, watching which websites you visit, seeing what applications you launch, and more. SpyMan might be a serious violation of your security and privacy, putting your financial and personal data at risk.

I suggest removing SpyMan immediately.

And dumping whoever installed SpyMan onto your PC.

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Pvnsmfor Toolbar Threat Level:

Pvnsmfor Toolbar is another toolbar by Trojan Zlob, created to scare you into buying fake anti-spyware To scam you, Pvnsmfor Toolbar pops up annoying ads, hijacks your home page, and hopes you’ll click Pvnsmfor Toolbar’s buttons for “Remove Popups, Scan Spyware, Security Test, and Spam Protection.”

Obviously, its name makes it clear — Pvnsmfor Toolbar isn’t very marketing savvy.

If you have Pvnsmfor Toolbar, your search results could be topped with this fake alert:

“Warning: possible spyware or adware infection! Click here to scan your computer for spyware and adware…”

Warning: the only thing you’re really infected with is Pvnsmfor Toolbar. Unless you like wasting money, don’t buy Pvnsmfor Toolbar or the products it’s pimping.

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Real Spy Monitor Threat Level:

Real Spy Monitor is a commercial keylogger that captures exact copies of your emails, chats, instant messages, and keystrokes typed. Real Spy Monitor may have been installed for legitimate purposes — i.e., monitoring children’s Internet activity and safety — but Real Spy Monitor may be catching your username and passwords for accounts, tracking your online conversations, watching which websites you visit, and more. Real Spy Monitor then sends this info to whoever installed Real Spy Monitor.

I suggest removing Real Spy Monitor immediately, and dumping whoever installed Real Spy Monitor onto your PC.

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AntiMalwareShield Threat Level:

AntiMalwareShield is another fake anti-spyware app. Despite AntiMalwareShield.com’s claims that it’s the “biggest leader among all antivirus solutions,” AntiMalwareShield doesn’t remove spyware — the only thing AntiMalwareShield removes is $49.95 from your pocket.

AntiMalwareShield probably installed itself onto your computer through a trojan, and AntiMalwareShield tries to scare you into buying it with AntiMalwareShield popups. Unless you like getting ripped off, don’t buy AntiMalwareShield.

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