XP Micro Antivirus Online Scan

What is XP Micro Antivirus?

The XP Micro Antivirus fake online security scanner displays fake security scan results with the intention of tricking unsuspecting PC users into downloading rogue software. Cyber criminals use bogus security warning pop-ups and 'scans' in order to scare PC users into believing that their computers are infiltrated with high-risk malware.

They then offer downloads, which supposedly remedy these issues. Internet users should be aware that XP Micro Antivirus is a scam, a malicious online ad with none of the features required to scan or detect possible malware or virus infections.

Commonly, such ads are delivered by deceptive ad networks and malicious websites, thus, computer users who fall for this trickery download the suggested program and inadvertently infect their computers with fake antivirus or rogue optimization software.

The following are examples of rogue programs distributed using XP Micro Antivirus Online Scan: System Care Antivirus, Win 7 Security Cleaner Pro, and XP Security Cleaner Pro.

If you observe XP Micro Antivirus scanning your computer for security infections, you have visited a malicious website, which is attempting to trick you into downloading rogue software (at this point, however, your operating system should not be infected). The first step of this scam displays a fake security warning message:

Message from website - "Critical Security Warning!" Your PC was infected with self-replicating virus after Spyware attack. XP Micro Antivirus will perform a free scan of your PC to find all System Threats.

After clicking "OK", Internet users are presented with the screen of the XP Micro Antivirus Online Scan, which displays the "My Computer" screen and imitates a security scan.

After a few seconds, XP Micro Antivirus Online Scan completes an imaginary security scan and presents a fake pop-up with a list of supposedly-detected security infections.

SMART Threat Detection Report.
CRITICAL WARNING! Virus infections have been detected!
Warning! Your security level is critical! Scanner has detected harmful Malicious Threats on your PC. To prevent System Crash we strongly recommend you to remove the following treats: Adware.Win32.look2me.ab; AdvWare.Hotbar; Trojan-PSW.Win32.LdPinch.abm… Click "Repair All" to erase all harmful threats from your system.

If you observe this fake online security warning message, do not click on the "Repair All" button, since this will open a download dialogue window, thus infecting your computer with a rogue antivirus program.

In summary, computer users should be aware that XP Micro Antivirus Online Scan is a scam employed by Cyber criminals in order to proliferate fake antivirus programs. If you have already installed software as suggested by this rogue online scanner, use the recommended anti-spyware program to scan and disinfect your operating system.

To avoid malware-related issues such as these, always use legitimate antivirus and anti-spyware programs to protect your Internet surfing.

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 xp micro antivirus pop-up and other rogue antivirus programs:

To protect your computer from xp micro antivirus pop-up 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 xp micro antivirus pop-up or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

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