Antivirus Security 2013

What is Antivirus Security 2013?

Antivirus Security 2013 is a fake antivirus program created by cyber criminals. This program is supposedly developed by a company called 'AVASoft' and promises to keep PCs safe from various security threats.

After installation, it becomes clear that this program copies the user interface of rogue antivirus programs from the WinWebSec family. Uniquely, however, this particular rogue software does not fake the detection of 'security infections' or coerce users into buying a license key in order to remove them.

Antivirus Security 2013 uses a virus definition database from ClamAV (a legitimate open source antivirus program), and has an uninstall entry within the Windows add/remove programs section. Note, however, that Antivirus Security 2013 is useless software created to clone the rogue business model of AVASoft Antivirus Professional fake antivirus distribution.

These two programs share a near-identical user interface (cyber criminals simply modify the names, colors, and payment pages). Antivirus Security 2013 is likely to have been created in order to make the AVASoft company appear legitimate, and by doing so, cyber criminals are able to open credit card accounts, etc.

Antivirus Security 2013 is merely an imitation of a real antivirus software. The sole purpose of this software is to clone the rogue business model of AVASoft.

Note that if you download an antivirus program from the AVASoft website, you are presented with Antivirus Security 2013 (a semi-rogue program), however, the actual business model of this company uses various exploit kits and Trojans in order to infect users' computers with a rogue antivirus program, AVASoft Antivirus Professional.

This program reports bogus security threats and encourages users to purchase a useless licence key in order to remove them.

Screenshot of the AVASoft website:

Screenshot of AVASoft Antivirus Professional generating fake security scan results and false security warning messages:

If you observe AVASoft Antivirus Professional scanning your computer for security infections, your PC has been infiltrated with a rogue antivirus program, which is attempting to scare you into believing that your computer is infected with various virus and malware.

This is a scam created by cyber criminals. Do not pay for the 'full version'. The correct way to treat this program is to remove it from your computer - instructions how to remove AVASoft Antivirus Professional.

Be aware that 'AVASoft' and Antivirus Security 2013 are created to trick credit card companies and unsuspecting PC users into believing that they are dealing with a legitimate company offering real antivirus solutions.

In fact, AVASoft and Antivirus Security 2013 merely clone a business model created by cyber criminals (who make money from computer users who fall for their trickery and purchase the fake licence key).

Screenshot of the payment page used by Antivirus Security 2013:

Note that computer users are redirected to this website when their computers become infected with AVASoft Antivirus Professional. This payment page is used to trick credit card companies into believing that they are dealing with a legitimate company promoting a real antivirus program.

In summary: together, AVASoft and Antivirus Security 2013, form an example of a new strategy used by cyber criminals to clone a rogue business model.

Summary:

The fake antivirus programs (also known as "rogue antivirus programs" or "scareware") are applications that tries to lure computer users into paying for their non-existent full versions to remove the supposedly detected security infections (although the computer is actually clean). These bogus programs are created by cyber criminals who design them to look as legitimate antivirus software. Most commonly rogue antivirus programs infiltrate user's computer using poop-up windows or alerts which appear when users surf the Internet. These deceptive messages trick users into downloading a rogue antivirus program on their computers. Other known tactics used to spread scareware include exploit kits, infected email messages, online ad networks, drive-by downloads, or even direct calls to user's offering free support.

A computer that is infected with a fake antivirus program might also have other malware installed on it as rogue antivirus programs often are bundled with Trojans and exploit kits. Noteworthy that additional malware that infiltrates user's operating system remains on victim's computer regardless of whether a payment for a non-existent full version of a fake antivirus program is made. Here are some examples of fake security warning messages that are used in fake antivirus distribution:

Computer users who are dealing with a rogue security software shouldn't buy it's full version. By paying for a license key of a fake antivirus program users would send their money and banking information to cyber criminals. Users who have already entered their credit card number (or other sensitive information) when asked by such bogus software should inform their credit card company that they have been tricked into buying a rogue security software. Screenshot of a web page used to lure computer users into paying for a non-existent full version of antivirus security 2013 rogue and other rogue antivirus programs:

To protect your computer from antivirus security 2013 rogue and other rogue antivirus programs users should:

• Keep their operating system and all of the installed programs up-to-date.
• Use legitimate antivirus and anti-spyware programs.
• Use caution when clicking on links in social networking websites and email messages.
• Don't trust online pop-up messages which state that your computer is infected and offers you to download security software.

Symptoms indicating that your operating system is infected with a fake antivirus program:

• Intrusive security warning pop-up messages.
• Alerts asking to upgrade to a paid version of a program to remove the supposedly detected malware.
• Slow computer performance.
• Disabled Windows updates.
• Blocked Task Manager.
• Blocked Internet browsers or inability to visit legitimate antivirus vendor websites.

If you have additional information on antivirus security 2013 rogue or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

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