Rogue Antivirus XP 2008 Sites Appear on Google’s Sponsored Links
Are Hackers pushing Antivirus XP 2008 via Google Sponsored Links?
When you perform a Google search you get normal results and also sponsored results that are usually found on the very top or to the right side of the page. Recently some of the Sponsored Links have proven to be links to websites that download rogue anti-spyware programs.
Don’t you feel that you can trust Sponsored Links if you perform a web search? Hackers are now getting to the point that they have Sponsored Links that redirect users to malicious websites to download rogue anti-spyware programs such as Antivirus XP 2008. This type of link was discovered by typing in the search term “CNN Top 10 XP Antivirus”. Using this search term returns many results but some may stick out more than others such as in the Sponsored Links sections. Many computer users may type in some variation of this search term due to the recent hype in regards to the spam mail titled “CNN.com Daily Top 10.”
antivirus-xp-2008.net New generation, Antivirus 2008, free online check! - Malicious Sponsored Ad Image
The malicious Sponsored Link that was returned with the specific search term above is nothing more than a direct path to antivirus-xp-2008.net which is a site that is known to distribute and sell the Antivirus XP 2008 rogue anti-spyware program. Once the link is clicked on it takes you to a pretty nice looking site to most people. The Antivirus XP 2008 page even has logos and badges from reputable sources in the computer world which may add to the visual legitimacy of this page.
If you proceed to download software from this page you will get a zip file containing two files. Once the zip file is opened it reveals the executable files which is where the installation of Antivirus XP 2008 comes from if they are executed.
Free, safe, accurate online scan. Free online check. 2008antivirusxp.com - Malicious Sponsored Ad Image
Many other variations of Sponsored Links that redirect you to malicious websites have been found that push rogue anti-spyware applications.
Free online check! New generation. antivirius-xp-2008.net - Malicious Sponsored Ad Image
Warning: The malicious Sponsored Links may be taken down as they are discovered. You should not attempt to perform a web search for the purpose of clicking on any Antivirus XP 2008 sponsored link. You may risk infecting your computer.
August 11th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
HELP!!!! I HAVE BEEN INFECTED WITH THIS AND CANNOT GET IT OFF!!!! ANYONE WITH INFO PLEASE EMAIL ME….. I HAVE BEEN TO A NJMBER OF SITES. THESE PEOPLE SHOULD BE PROSICUTED FOR THE INTENTIONAL FRAUD AND DAMAGE IT IS DOING ON ALL OUR COMPUTERS. OURS HAD TO HAVE BEEN ACCIDENTLY LOADED ONTO OUR COMPUTER BY OUR YOUNG TEENAGERS…. SHAME ON YOU!!!!
August 17th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
spent the whole weekend getting our computer out of this nonsense………i am a 61 year old vet who you do not want to know what i would do to these or those dirty bastards that created this bull crap
August 18th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Hola amigos: tengo el problema de que mi sitio redirecciona a los usuarios a el malisioso ANTIVIRUS XP 2008, no lo puedo eliminar, encontré en mi index el siguiente scrip que cadavez que lo elimino reaparece, les pasdo el scrip
Solicito ayuda,estoy desesperado, no quiero hacer daño.
Gustavo Nazer
Posadas - Misiones - Argentina.
August 23rd, 2008 at 8:20 am
My PC has it too and I cant find a way to clean it. Can someone help?
September 9th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
PROBLEM SOLVED!If your like me, you have some basic computer knowledge and read through all of the threads to find out how to combat this hijacking & extortion attempt. The malware would not let me get onto the internet and I had to do the research from the laptop. I could not locate the registry files that I was reading about on threads and others to delete. I was using Avast, and I had an unused copy of Webroot Spysweeper w/ Antivirus which I installed and it did absolutely nothing. I tried to call support and was on hold for over an hour. I hung up and called Symantec / Norton support and waited less than 2 minutes. They said for $99 they would guarantee the removal of Antivirus xp 2008. Grudgingly, I gave them the dough, but true to their word the tech person accessed my computer remotely and worked for two hours and now (so far) my computer works better than it did 13 hours ago when this mess started. I was impressed enough to go out and buy Norton 360. Hope this helps, the problem with the advice given in other threads is that you cannot use the internet to download these miracle cures when the malware has hijacked your internet, therefore it must be done manually. If you do it manually yourself, you better know a whole lot more than I know or risk an even worse fate.
September 21st, 2008 at 7:35 am
Help someone I need to Know how to get rid of this XP crap anyone know.I appreciate your response thanks
September 26th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
The people who create this stuff should be shot. Why is it that if you damage physical property you’d be liable for criminal prosecution but if you create bogus software that messes up people’s computers no one comes after you?