PersonalAntiSpy Free

PersonalAntiSpy Free is a rogue Anti-Spyware developed by Innovative Marketing that poses as a legitimate Computer security program [http://sunbeltblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/new-rogue-personalantispy-free.html] . It attempts to persuade users to buy the software by displaying ads and other nagware. [http://research.sunbelt-software.com/threatdisplay.aspx?threatid=416208]

Method of Infection/Variants

In a typical infection, the user will install the PersonalAntiSpy application, The user may encounter a pop-up that states that your computer is infected and that you should run an online anti-malware scan. Regardless of which button you press on the pop-up, you will be brought to a page that pretends to be an anti-malware scanner. When this scanner has finished, it will state that your computer is infected and that you should download and install PersonalAntiSpy in order to protect your computer. [http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/malware-removal/remove-personalantispy]

Symptoms of infection

Once the rogue software is installed it may present a user with a series of fake alert notifications, promting the user to purchase the software. PersonalAntiSpy Free also hijacks the user's desktop and typically displays exaggerated or false claims of spyware found to frighten the user into paying for the program.

Removal

PersonalAntiSpy is a new Rouge Application as of October 2008, and as such is not detected my many common Anti-Malware scanners. Programs that remove this application include CA Antispyware, VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware , Malwarebytes' AntiMalware. As always, a user should only use verified Anti-Virus Programs.

The following files are related to AntivirusGold: InstHelp.exe, pas.exe, PersonalAntiSpySetup.exe, personalantispy_ifree.exe, UserAgent.dll, and unins000.exe.

See also

* Rogue software

References