The Top Rogue Antivirus Programs

Rogue antivirus programs are an increasingly common online threat that is duping users all over the world to part with their hard-earned cash. These scareware threats highjack your browser and fool you into thinking that a nasty virus only their software can remove has infected your computer. They then convince you to pay for a fake antivirus software that will magically remove the threat that was never there in the first place.

The reason that rogue antivirus programs succeed is that they often look convincing enough to suggest that they are in fact legitimate virus warnings. Some even clone the look or names of legitimate antivirus software titles. So, how can you tell the difference? The following list is a small collection of some of the most notorious rogue antivirus programs with a description of what to expect from each one.

Antimalware Doctor – This scareware offering looks a lot like the Windows Security Center settings that you may already be familiar with on your computer, so don’t be fooled into thinking it is genuine.

Antivir Solutions Pro – Also known as AV Security Suite, Antivirus Suite, or Antivirus Soft, this phony internet security suite looks good enough to be true, but it isn’t. It could also be confused with Avira AntiVir, a legitimate antivirus program, due to name similarities.

Antivirus GT – This rogue antivirus program will detect multiple threats on your computer, but you can be sure that none of them will do you any real harm. So avoid its Remove All button like the plague.

Byte Defender – Sound familiar? This hoax software hopes to win your trust by looking and sounding like the real thing – BitDefender – our current top pick for antivirus software solutions. Expect a variety of convincing messages about viruses, Trojans and worms.

CleanUp Antivirus – This software mimics a Windows Explorer window to provide a warning that looks like it has come from within your own system, when in fact it has not.

Digital Protection – This software and its variants, YourProtection and UserProtection, sounds like it is exactly what you need. It will install a trial version of its software and urge you to activate the premium version so that you can remove all the nastiness it finds.

SpyDocPro – Looking to piggyback on the reputation of reputable software like Spy Doctor, SpyDocPro will quickly generate some fake spyware problems on your computer.

SpyEraser – Rogue antivirus programs like this will try to convince you that they have uncovered some nasty spyware on your computer. It will then give you a whole host of reasons why this is bad news for you, and prompt you to clean up your PC with its bogus software.

Windows PC Defender – With a name that was inspired by Microsoft’s real Windows Defender software, and an interface sporting a very similar look, you can quickly see why many people get sucked in by the fake Windows PC Defender program. Make sure that you’re not the next victim.

XJR Antivirus – With similar acronym type titles such as AKM Antivirus 2010 Pro and RST Antivirus 2010, these are definitely rogue antivirus programs that you want to avoid.
If your computer is unlucky enough to be infected with one of these rogue antivirus programs, stay calm. Remember that your computer is not infected with all the malware this software says it is, and that the only thing you really have to remove is the fake antivirus program itself.

It is essential that you get the most effective antivirus software you can afford, update it to its latest version and run a full scan of your system. This is the only reliable way to remove false warnings from fake antivirus programs. Read our full list of antivirus software products for some of the best-rated products available.

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