What is Rogue Antivirus Software?

It's been a while since I've done a post like this, and I have gotten quite a few new followers who likely have not read the original post about rogue antivirus software. So here it is: A full description.

Rogue antivirus software, often called rogues, are pieces of software which can install themselves onto your computer in many ways.

Way #1: You could be tricked into thinking that an advertisement for a rogue stating that your computer is infected is real. You then go to download the rogue hoping that it will remove the threats. This happens without you even knowing that it is a rogue until it is installed.

Way #2: It could install itself silently when you visit a hijacked website. From here it can lay dormant until activated by an action which is either on your part or the part of the maker of the rogue.

Way #3: The rogue can be downloaded because the file claims to be something that it is not. While this somewhat falls into the definition of Trojans, this is still classified as a rogue.

No matter the way a rogue is placed on your computer, the end result is the same. The rogue pops up and does a simulated scan of your hard drive. It then demands payment for the removal of threats threats that it has found.

A few key points to keep in mind:

1: The scan that it is doing is not real.

2: All "malware" found by the "scan" is non-existent on your computer.

3: Most real antivirus software have a free trial which will remove threats free of charge.

4: You should never pay any amount of money that the rogue demands.

Rogues are usually removed with Rkill and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, but some rogues may require more advanced tools.

As some rogues include a Trojan component, just because you place a product key in the rogue does not mean that your computer is in the clear. This is why I do not recommend placing a product key in the rogue except in situations where it would make removal a lot less involved.

I consider rouges to be a type of malware that will be gone from the internet someday soon.

In 2006, 19 rogues were released.

In 2007: 28 rogues were released.

In 2008: 195.

2009: 156

And so on.

But this type of malware is on the decline. As of this blog post, there have only been 7 rogues released in the entire year of 2013. And I do feel that this type of malware will be gone completely within a few years.

I attribute this victory to:

Bloggers who blog about rogues. They help educate the public in a way that they can understand.

Antivirus companies, whose engines are now getting smarter at detecting this type of malware before it even gets on the computer.

Readers, who spread the news as need be. If something goes viral enough, the news can reach the news of countless people at a faster speed then the rogues can spread.

Malware Removers, one of the last lines of defense in this regard. These people are highly trained in the art of malware removal. Some charge money for their services, while others offer help free of charge.

Thank you for reading. I invite readers to comment with any questions or comments.