Avira Discover Fake Antivirus ‘Wireshark’

August 17, 2010

A new piece of scareware known as 'Wireshark Antivirus' has been identified by security researchers at "Avira." The scareware seems to be a true security solution. The analysis of fake antivirus application has uncovered its attributes.

The security firm reports Wireshack Antivirus is very stealthy if penetrates into systems owing to the Trojan exploiting tactics. After trespassing on the user's computer, this antivirus firstly creates few files and Registry values which strongly influence the functionality of the system. Thus, Wireshark Antivirus configures with the user's system's OS to run malware related process when user launches Windows.

Further, the experts added that this fake application would start popping up its annoying warnings and false scanning. They noted that the fake antivirus failed to detect the genuine viruses considering it was not fit to detect. The only work this antivirus actually does is making the user believe that his PC is in severe cyber risk and requires cleaning.

The fake antivirus will not fail to suggest the user to get things back to normal by using its full version which is not free. The experts added that this malware was another money sucking machine which cheated people to loose their hard earned money. Therefore, they encourage users not to buy Wireshark Antivirus if their computers are infected by this malware.

As per the security experts, the best solution to perform would be to permanently and completely remove Wireshark Antivirus as soon as it has been detected on a computer system by making use of legitimate antivirus software solution.

With the detection of 'Wireshark Antivirus', the scareware scam seems to be booming, said the security experts. They note that the sale of scareware has turned into an outrageously lucrative criminal business. Panda Security's estimation gives the best justification wherein it says the scareware generates revenue of around $34 Million per month for the cottage industry of elite gangs and enterprising specialists.