Windows Web Watchdog

Posted: March 28, 2014

Threat Metric

The Threat Meter is a malware assessment that SpywareRemove.com's research team is able to give every identifiable malware threat. Our Threat Meter includes several criteria based off of specific malware threats to value their severity, reach and volume. The Threat Meter is able to give you a numerical breakdown of each threat's initial Threat Level, Detection Count, Volume Count, Trend Path and Percentage Impact. The overall ranking of each threat in the Threat Meter is a basic breakdown of how all threats are ranked within our own extensive malware database. The scoring for each specific malware threat can be easily compared to other emerging threats to draw a contrast in its particular severity. The Threat Meter is a useful tool in the endeavor of seeking a solution to remove a threat or pursue additional analytical research for all types of computer users.

The following fields listed on the Threat Meter containing a specific value, are explained in detail below:

Threat Level: The threat level scale goes from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of severity and 1 is the lowest level of severity. Each specific level is relative to the threat's consistent assessed behaviors collected from SpyHunter's risk assessment model.

Detection Count: The collective number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular malware threat. The detection count is calculated from infected PCs retrieved from diagnostic and scan log reports generated by SpyHunter.

Volume Count: Similar to the detection count, the Volume Count is specifically based on the number of confirmed and suspected threats infecting systems on a daily basis. High volume counts usually represent a popular threat but may or may not have infected a large number of systems. High detection count threats could lay dormant and have a low volume count. Criteria for Volume Count is relative to a daily detection count.

Trend Path: The Trend Path, utilizing an up arrow, down arrow or equal symbol, represents the level of recent movement of a particular threat. Up arrows represent an increase, down arrows represent a decline and the equal symbol represent no change to a threat's recent movement.

% Impact (Last 7 Days): This demonstrates a 7-day period change in the frequency of a malware threat infecting PCs. The percentage impact correlates directly to the current Trend Path to determine a rise or decline in the percentage.

Threat Level:	10/10
Infected PCs:	88

First Seen:	March 31, 2014
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

Windows Web Watchdog is a rogue anti-malware suite that makes claims of protecting your computer from attacks by Trojans, spyware and other threatening programs, but has no legitimate security features to back up these claims. The primary disruptive behavior of Windows Web Watchdog is to launch inaccurate pop-up warnings that trick its victims into believing that their PCs are being impended by other types of threats, but Windows Web Watchdog also may hinder your general security products or features. Despite its appearance, Windows Web Watchdog is an illicit and hostile program, and deleting Windows Web Watchdog with the use of a real anti-malware program always is the response recommended by malware analysts.

The Watchdog that Barks at Nothing

Canines who sound the alarm at a stray leaf or a gust of wind are a common problem for owners without much skill at training their living security systems, and Windows Web Watchdog could be considered the software equivalent of that problem – if dogs were custom-bred by cybercrooks. Currently estimated as a new member of the long-lived FakeVimes family of scamware, Windows Web Watchdog continues the tradition of providing false security information to random victims. Windows Web Watchdog launches pop-ups that are intended to imitate ordinary security warnings from firewall utilities and similar programs, always detecting 'infections' that are fictitious, although Windows Web Watchdog may use the names of real PC threats.

Along with its pop-ups, which are triggered under random conditions unrelated to the health of your computer, Windows Web Watchdog also is programmed for displaying 'system scans,' in the fashion of a traditional anti-virus or anti-spyware product. Its scans always will pretend to detect high-level threats, with rootkits, banking Trojans and backdoor Trojans being some of its most popular false alarms. While malware researchers recommend ignoring any security advice from Windows Web Watchdog, its central threat is to your wallet, since Windows Web Watchdog requests that you spend money to purchase an updated version of its software that Windows Web Watchdog claims will disinfect your PC in full.

At best, spending money on Windows Web Watchdog will deprive you of your money without any corresponding security benefit. At worst, Windows Web Watchdog also may track connected data.

Silencing the Hound that's Bred with Robbery in Mind

Distribution techniques for rogue anti-malware programs can use everything from false advertisements to fake system scanners to email-distributed Trojans to install Windows Web Watchdog, or some of its many cousins. In general, you should attempt to identify this scamware on sight, and regard any supposed security product closely resembling Windows Web Watchdog in aesthetics or functionality with the same suspicion malware experts would encourage for any FakePAV clone. These clones include other, equally modern members of FakePAV along with old ones, such as Privacy Guard Pro, PrivacyGuard Pro 2.0, Extra Antivirus, Fast Antivirus 2009, Presto TuneUp, Windows Security Suite, Smart Virus Eliminator, Packed.Generic.245, Volcano Security Suite, Windows Enterprise Suite, Enterprise Suite, Additional Guard, Live PC Care, PC Live Guard, Live Enterprise Suite, Security Antivirus, My Security Wall, CleanUp Antivirus and Smart Security.

Windows Web Watchdog may try to disable security applications that are needed for removing Windows Web Watchdog, and especially is likely to block your access to real anti-malware products from well-known brands. Stopping Windows Web Watchdog through standardized security procedures will let you access any blocked software, of which it especially is encouraged to use real anti-malware tools to verify the deletion of Windows Web Watchdog in its entirety.

Technical Details

File System Modifications

Tutorials: If you wish to learn how to remove malware components manually, you can read the tutorials on how to find malware, kill unwanted processes, remove malicious DLLs and delete other harmful files. Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.

The following files were created in the system:

%APPDATA%\svc-fegq.exe

File name: svc-fegq.exe
Size: 1.24 MB (1245184 bytes)
MD5: ef883883d5b65eb57665ee8579fce1cc
Detection count: 62
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: %APPDATA%
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: March 31, 2014