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Antimalware - Proven Antivirus Protection

Also Known As: Antimalware Rogue
Damage level: High

What is Proven Antivirus Protectiont?

Antimalware (Proven Antivirus Protection) is a fake antivirus program originating from a family of rogue security programs called "WinWebSec". This program infiltrates users' operating systems using 'exploit kits', which are distributed using malicious websites, drive-by downloads, and infected email messages.

Exploit kits rely on security vulnerabilities detected within outdated software in order to infect users' computers. After successful infiltration, exploit kits execute the Antimalware "Proven Antivirus Protection" fake antivirus program, which then attempts to trick PC users into purchasing a useless 'full version'.

This rogue antivirus program is an imitation of legitimate antivirus software - it performs fake computer security scans and reports non-existent security infections to scare PC users into believing that their operating systems are infected with high-risk malware and viruses.

Antimalware fake antivirus program

In order to remove the supposedly-detected security threats, Antimalware "Proven Antivirus Protection" demands purchase of the 'full version'. PC users should not buy this program, it is a scam. Purchasing it is equivalent to sending your money to cyber criminals, and furthermore, you will divulge your credit card information - this could lead to further thefts from your account.

A previous variant of the Antimalware "Proven Antivirus Protection" rogue antivirus program was named Antivirus Security Pro. Cyber criminals responsible for creating these rogue programs hope that PC users will believe that their computers are infected with high-risk malware, and then purchase the rogue programs in order to remove the supposedly-detected security threats.

In fact, none of security infections reported by these programs actually exist on users' systems. The fake security threats detection and false security warning messages are used to trick PC users into buying a useless program.

Screenshot of Antimalware "Proven Antivirus Protection" payments page:

Antimalware

Do not buy this program - it is a scam. The best way to protect your computer from such fake antivirus programs is by using legitimate antivirus and anti-spyware programs. Commonly, rogue antivirus programs are distributed using exploit kits, since they rely on outdated software to infiltrate users' systems.

PC users should keep all installed programs up-to-date, as this drastically reduces the risk of operating system infection by rogue antivirus programs.

Screenshot of this rogue program blocking Internet browsers:

Antimalware

Fake security warning messages generated by Antimalware "Proven Antivirus Protection":

Windows Security Alert - Windows reports that computer is infected. Antivirus software helps to protect your computer against viruses and other security threats. Click here for the scan your computer. Your system might be at risk now.

Antimalware alert - Infiltration Alert, your computer is being attacked by an Internet virus. It could be a password-stealing attack, a trojan-dropper or similar.

Spyware alert - There are serious threats detected on your computer. Your privacy and personal data may not be safe. Do you want to clean and protect your PC?

Internet Explorer Warning - visiting this web site may harm your computer! Most likely causes: the website contains exploits that can launch a malicious code on your computer, suspicious network activity detected, there might be an active spyware running on your computer. What you can try: purchase for secure Internet surfing, check your computer for viruses and malware, more information.

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:

Antimalware "Proven Antivirus Protection" removal:

This fake antivirus program blocks execution of installed programs, hijacks Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox), and disables the Task Manager. To remove this rogue program, scan your computer using a non-affected user account.

Download recommended malware removal software and run a full system scan. If your operating system has only one user account, activate Guest user and run a scan from it.

Windows 7 users:

To activate Guest user: Click "Windows logo" (Start button) and select "Control Panel":

Antimalware removal step 1

In the opened window, click "Add or remove user accounts" (in "User Accounts and Family Safety" section):

Antimalware removal step 2

In the opened window, select "Guest" and click the "Turn On" button:

Antimalware removal step 3

Restart your computer and log-in to the newly-activated "Guest account":

Antimalware removal step 5

Download recommended malware removal software and run a full system scan. After removing the Antimalware "Proven Antivirus Protection" rogue antivirus program, restart your computer and continue to use your regular user account.

If you do not wish to see the user account selection screen each time you boot your operating system, deactivate the "Guest" user by navigating to Control Panel, clicking on "Add or remove user accounts", and selecting "Guest account". In the opened window click on "Turn off the guest account".

Antimalware removal step 6

 

Windows XP users can activate Guest user by navigating to Control Panel (Click "Start" and select "Control Panel"), and clicking "User Accounts".

In the opened window click "Guest" and select "Turn On the Guest Account". Restart your computer and login to the newly-created Guest account. Download recommended malware removal software to remove Antimalware "Proven Antivirus Protection" from your computer.

Windows 8 users can use this tutorial describing how to create and remove user accounts.

If you cannot run the remover, try to downloading an alternate installer (it is renamed to iexplore.exe, since most fake antivirus programs do not block execution of files with this name).

Optional method to download the recommended anti-spyware program:

If you cannot access your Internet browsers: Click Start then click Run. (Click Windows logo in Windows 7 and Windows Vista)

In Windows XP, When the Run dialogue appears enter this text: www.pcrisk.com/download-spyware-remover and then press ENTER. In Windows 7 and Windows Vista, type this line directly into the search field and then press ENTER.

download remover using run dialog windows xp
download remover using run dialog in Windows 7

After pressing enter, the File download dialogue of recommended malware removal software appears. Click Run and follow the on-screen instructions.

Other tools, known to remove Antimalware "Proven Antivirus Protection":

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:

Fake pop-up used in rogue antivirus distribution example 1

Fake pop-up used in rogue antivirus distribution example 2

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 antimalware rogue and other rogue antivirus programs:

example of a webpage used to collect payments for fake antivirus programs

To protect your computer from antimalware 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 antimalware rogue or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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