Malware spotlight: What is rogue security software?

Introduction

Remember before you became security-conscious? Or maybe you always have been — either way, you most likely have been faced with this scenario. You sit down at your PC, fire it up and are soon faced with a scary-looking warning seemingly informing you that your computer has been infected with malware or a virus. This window was probably slathered with ominous pictures like a skull and crossbones, flashing lights and an important-looking text window giving you the bad news.

I am sure you eventually discovered it was rogue security software that was trying to scare you. Hopefully you did not pay for the malware removal service it was trying to sell you.

This article will detail what rogue security software is and will explore what it can do to systems, real-world examples of rogue security software, and what the strongest defense against threat is.

My personal anecdote

Years ago, before my major security epiphany, I was one of the least security-minded individuals around. This was mostly due to a false sense of security I had in my antivirus solution, combined with a liberal sprinkling of laziness.

I was running a Windows XP system until one day, when my computer was seemingly hijacked by Windows telling me to buy expensive malware tools or lose control of my system. This message was coupled with the obligatory flashing lights, dire imagery and strong language that is so common with rogue security software.

It wasn’t until I fully lost my system that I had my security lightbulb moment and the rest was history. No, I did not pay them a dime, and the result was the birth of my fascination with information security.

What is rogue security software?

Rogue security software refers to a program that induces internet fraud by using security exploits (Read more...)