Fake and bake!

I've seen this dozens of times: "scamware" that tricks unsuspecting users into installing a bogus security product.  Some of the best ones look like they’re alerts from your operating system and appear as a tray icon with a balloon warning that your machine is infected and that you need to download "this product" in order to eliminate the threat. Sadly, when you see that bogus alert it means you've already been infected.

This Washington Post article noted how Symantec's report on cybercrime shows just how severe this problem has become. I don't need Symantec to tell me, as I've removed so many of these types of malware I’ll probably soon be able do it with my eyes closed. Knowledge is your best defense against scamware. However, if you find yourself dealing with scamware and your AV can't remove it, try freeware Vipre Rescue. It removes pesky malware and at a price that can't be beat!