Look out for 'Scanguard' Virus!
- Aiden Quinn
- Mar 29, 2017
- 2 min read
Recently, a rogue software called ‘Scanguard’ appeared online.
About the rogue software:
Rogue software and scareware usually claim that your computer needs fixing, and that you need to pay money to do so. Rogue software and scareware are often successful as they often scare users into paying money to repair their computer. Rogue software and scareware may or may not actually fix anything, however, they do often over exaggerate or lie about issues on your computer. Rogue software and scareware are quite similar, however, scareware is mainly based around scaring the user, rogue software can use other means to convince the user to pay money to get the computer fixed by the software. This particular software seems to appear on a site called 'Web Life Advice', which claims to be a site with computer-related articles, however, the only articles are ones linking to ‘Scanguard’ under different names. Upon downloading the software, it installs itself instantly, only to ask you to register for an account. The software claims to be able to scan for viruses, however, it seems to show a fake list of viruses upon scanning. Based on this, the developers of the software most likely a) want to get a password that you use for other services when you register and b) wants you to pay for the full version of the software by pretending that there are viruses on the computer.
How to avoid installing it:
Many fake articles titled things like 'Your Personal and Financial Details are at Risk!' and 'PC Owners Swarm To Do This Today…' seem to link to the rogue software and say fake things about it, they also seem to have fake comments under the article. Below is an image of the software.
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Analysis:
Below is an annotated image of one of the articles, showing the things that reveal that you shouldn't trust it.
If you have this software, we recommend removing it immediately! Go to this article if you would like more information on removing unwanted software!
Sources:
Can You Trust ScanGuard?. 2017. Can You Trust ScanGuard?. [ONLINE] Available at: http://askbobrankin.com/can_you_trust_scanguard.html. [Accessed 29 March 2017].
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