Beware of Fake Microsoft Security Essentials
by Frank Jovine on 02/28/2010 in Fake Antivirus, Security
It’s a very common tactic to create rogue antivirus products that have a similar name, look and feel as the legitimate security software.
Microsoft has warned Windows users to be on their guard against a piece of rogue antivirus software passing itself off as Microsoft Security Essentials. Security Essentials 2010 is a piece of software Microsoft said installs a fake virus scanner on your machine and monitors and blocks processes it doesn’t like.
The software will also block access to websites of antivirus and malware companies and flag up a warning message. This is common with most rogue software that installs Trojans and Malware.
Security essentials 2010 blocks access by downloading a Win32/Alureon component and another Layered Service Provider component, Microsoft’s David Wood wrote on the company’s Malware Protection Center blog.
“This LSP monitors the TCP traffic sent by various Web browsers that the user might have installed, and blocks any traffic to certain domains,” Wood said.
Tip: Download the legitimate Microsoft Security Essentials from the Microsoft web site.
Microsoft Security Essentials Download.
Andrew@BloggingGuide
Mar 1st, 2010
Thanks again for the warning as always….
Frank Jovine
Mar 1st, 2010
Andrew,
I am happy to help!
Philip Ze
Mar 1st, 2010
I’m using Microsoft Security Essentials for months, it is not only free for download, the virus definition update is also available for free. Anyway, thanks for sharing the info about this fake version, hope no one is trapped.
Frank Jovine
Mar 1st, 2010
Philip,
I am a big fan of MSE! They scored well in a recent security test.
funny t shirt
Mar 2nd, 2010
had to fix this issue on my grandads laptop the other day!
Tech Guy
Mar 2nd, 2010
Im a computer repairman and have seen this alot latley
Ray
Mar 3rd, 2010
I am a computer tech. I cannot believe how rampant these rogue anti-virus programs have become. There is not a day that goes by where I don’t have to disinfect at least one computer from one of these things. It is good job security for me though.
gjperera
Mar 4th, 2010
Thanks for the warning. I’ve been telling all of my friends and relatives about using MSE and need to warn them to make sure they get the official Microsoft version. Thanks again for the heads up.
Frank Jovine
Mar 4th, 2010
You’re very welcome and thank you for commenting!
Always Online
Mar 4th, 2010
Do agree but I am bit late.. I downloaded one such program from one pop up window and my system crashed.. it was nothing but bluescreen. Got saved becoz I had a backup
Frank Jovine
Mar 5th, 2010
That’s a bummer that you were a victim of this fake software. I hope that in the future you will visit TechJaws to see if we published an article about a potential download you were looking to install.
John
Mar 7th, 2010
Frank,
How dare you acuse Arborglow of trying to take advantage of the people of Haiti ! I offered our product at our material costs with no profit.
Before you post you should collect your facts and be very careful as to what you write. We were not trying to scam anyone and you need to understand that there are some honest businesses out there that wanted to help this country rebuild and make life better.
Shame on you Frank
Our lawyers will be in contact with you directly.
Frank Jovine
Mar 7th, 2010
John,
Than your lawyers will be very busy trying to use scare tactics against of other worthy and reputable websites that have the same claims.
Kregs
Mar 25th, 2010
I’m trying to download a audio converter and a pop-up came up telling me i had 1 threat. I closed it and then googled scams of MSE and found this site. I was just wondering if its okay to continue with my download of the audio converter or not?
Frank Jovine
Mar 26th, 2010
Kregs,
What source is this download at?