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.”

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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.

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Many other variations of Sponsored Links that redirect you to malicious websites have been found that push rogue anti-spyware applications.

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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.