For anyone not sure what adware really is, take a look at the title. It's software with ads. Of course, it's the free software we all are stupid enough to download thinking nothing of it, and then we end up with pops all over the place and a computer so slow we just want to kick it. Virtumonde is the most dangerous.
Virtumonde is the equivalent of adware artificial intelligence - it knows when it's being threatened, and it can fix itself in order to prevent being uninstalled. Scary, no?
Adware itself is bad enough. It comes with most free downloads on the internet. The sad part is this it even explains this in the user agreement you need to click on and agree to as you download. However, as we all know, no one ever reads these user agreements. Too bad. Once your free download is installed, adware is running without your knowledge.
You may see tons of pop ups and your computer might run slower. The major threat, however, is that this adware also includes spyware which, well, it spies on your computer habits. It tracks what you do and it can steal personal information all under the auspices of "making your browsing experience more personal".
Virtumonde's main problem is you can't use normal deletion tactics. It won't let you manually delete the files needed to run (kerdsw. Dll) and Windows doesn't think it's a program, so you can't delete it. You're stuck. All you get are various error messages saying the program is still running, or another program is using it.
User groups have popped up with blogs and news groups discussing various strategies on how to get rid of certain files it leaves, and suggesting removal programs particularly targeted at this malicious software.
Of course, the best course of action is prevention. Any time you download something free - and this includes even innocuous things like smiley faces and ring tones - you're going to get spyware and adware. That's the reason you are getting your download for free - they want to plant this adware on your computer to track what you do, and advertise to you specifically. Stay away from free downloads!
How can you tell if you have adware? Do an internet search and wait a few hours. You'll see pop ups and emails offering you deals on whatever you were looking for. Do a search for "dog food" and see what happens!
There are many effective removal tools out there to delete and remove adware and spyware. Buy a good program and run it daily. Some are equipped with the programming necessary to completely remove Virtumonde. If all else fails, you need a professional, experienced software engineer to do the deed. - 30431
Virtumonde is the equivalent of adware artificial intelligence - it knows when it's being threatened, and it can fix itself in order to prevent being uninstalled. Scary, no?
Adware itself is bad enough. It comes with most free downloads on the internet. The sad part is this it even explains this in the user agreement you need to click on and agree to as you download. However, as we all know, no one ever reads these user agreements. Too bad. Once your free download is installed, adware is running without your knowledge.
You may see tons of pop ups and your computer might run slower. The major threat, however, is that this adware also includes spyware which, well, it spies on your computer habits. It tracks what you do and it can steal personal information all under the auspices of "making your browsing experience more personal".
Virtumonde's main problem is you can't use normal deletion tactics. It won't let you manually delete the files needed to run (kerdsw. Dll) and Windows doesn't think it's a program, so you can't delete it. You're stuck. All you get are various error messages saying the program is still running, or another program is using it.
User groups have popped up with blogs and news groups discussing various strategies on how to get rid of certain files it leaves, and suggesting removal programs particularly targeted at this malicious software.
Of course, the best course of action is prevention. Any time you download something free - and this includes even innocuous things like smiley faces and ring tones - you're going to get spyware and adware. That's the reason you are getting your download for free - they want to plant this adware on your computer to track what you do, and advertise to you specifically. Stay away from free downloads!
How can you tell if you have adware? Do an internet search and wait a few hours. You'll see pop ups and emails offering you deals on whatever you were looking for. Do a search for "dog food" and see what happens!
There are many effective removal tools out there to delete and remove adware and spyware. Buy a good program and run it daily. Some are equipped with the programming necessary to completely remove Virtumonde. If all else fails, you need a professional, experienced software engineer to do the deed. - 30431
