The Windows Salvor Tool is the most important part of the fake Windows Security Essentials scam. The fake Windows Security Essentials scam is where software impersonates real anti-virus software and then tries to scam you into buying more software to protect your computer.
How the Security Scam Works
This scam is a copy of many anti-virus software hoaxes. While the victim is surfing the internet, a pop-up will appear on the computer screen. This pop-up will look like a software window. In this case, the pop-up looks like a Windows Security Essentials warning window. The fake alert warns computer users that their systems are infected with a particular Trojan and that they need to download the Windows Salvor Tool to get rid of the infection. Of course, the Windows Salvor Tool isn't really going to get rid of the problem. It was produced to create a problem where there isn't one.
After you download the Windows Salvor Tool, your computer will reboot, and the Windows Salvor Tool will ask you to run a system scan. The system scan will present new and even scarier results than the fake Windows Security Essentials pop-up window foretold.
The Windows Salvor Tool will urge you to buy an upgraded version so that you can rid your computer of the infections. If you don't want to buy the updated version, that's too bad. You cannot do anything else on your computer until you purchase the upgraded version of the software. Basically, the Windows Salvor Tool holds your computer ransom until you buy software that you don't need and that's probably just as bogus as the software you already downloaded.
How to Protect Yourself
The number-one rule to protecting yourself from fake security software scams is to block pop-ups from your web browser. You can do this by going into your browser's Options or Settings menu and selecting the Block Pop-ups option. All widely used browsers, such as Firefox, Chrome and Internet Explorer, have this option.
Next, look at the name of the security software before you click on any buttons. For example, if you have a Windows Security Essentials virus warning pop up on your computer screen and you don't have a copy of Windows Security Essentials running on your computer, then you can be sure that it is a fake.
Finally, install anti-virus protection that you can trust. If you know you're protected, you will be less tempted to trust a hoax. Make sure to install it directly from its manufacture so you don't wind up with a fake. Also, research the software thoroughly to ensure that it is high quality and can protect you from a wide range of viruses, Trojans and other malware.
Scammers think they have a sneaky way to steal money from unsuspecting internet users. With a little information, though, hoaxes like Windows Salvor Tool and the fake Windows Security Essentials won't be stealing money from smart computer users.
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