Protection Shield Pro: A Fake Anti-virus Application

Beware, there are posers lurking on the internet. These con artists, also known as rogue anti-virus applications, look and act like real anti-virus software, but they are actually out to steal your money. Protection Shield Pro is one of these fakes.

How Rogue Security Scams Work

Rogue security software like Protection Shield Pro pops up while you are browsing the internet. The pop-up window looks just like security software. In the pop-up, the so-called security software appears to be scanning your computer for viruses. After a few minutes, it says that it has found viruses on your computer and urges you to purchase and download the software to get rid of the problem. The software can be very convincing. One convincing phrase that fakes like Protection Shield Pro will use is, "You current security software missed these viruses on your computer. You should download our product to get rid of the infection."

Of course, the scan results are bogus, and there is no software scanning your computer, but it looks so realistic that many people will try to download the software. Obviously, the scam is intent on selling you useless software to make some ill-gotten money.

What's worse is that even after rogue software like Protection Shield Pro gets your money the first time, the people perpetrating the fraud will keep trying to get more money from you. The fake software will can scan your computer again, alerting you to more threats. It will recommend that you buy a premium version that can do a better job at getting rid of these extra viruses.

Preventing Rogue Security Software Scams

To protect yourself from scams like Protection Shield Pro, make sure that you have real, reliable anti-virus software downloaded and running on your computer. This will reassure you that there are no undetected viruses on your computer.

Next, block pop-ups like Protection Shield Pro and its replicas, including System Tool 2011, Personal Shield Pro, Essential Cleaner and MS Removal Tool, from your web browser. You can block pop-ups with these steps.

Firefox Instructions:

1. Open your browser's Options folder.
2. Click on the Content tab.
3. Checkmark the Block Pop-up Windows option.
4. Click the Okay button.

Chrome Instructions:

1. Click on the tool icon in the upper right-hand side of the screen.
2. Choose the Options menu from the list.
3. Click the Under the Hood option on the left side of the screen.
4. Click the Content Settings choice at the top of the menu.
5. Checkmark "Do Not Allow Any Site to Show Pop-Ups" in the Pop-Ups section.

Internet Explorer Instructions:

1. Click on the Tools option on the right side of the screen.
2. Click on the Pop-Up Blocker option in the menu.
3. Choose the Turn On Pop-Up Blocker option.

Sometimes scams like Protection Shield Pro are enticing, but the best way to beat them is to be informed and to take precautions. Now that you know about Protection Shield Pro and how it attacks, you can avoid it and the hackers who use it.

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