Rogue:W32/SpySheriff

Classification

Category :

Riskware

Type :

Rogue

Summary

An antivirus or antispyware application that does not provide the functionality claimed, and may not work at all. It may also be promoted or sold using deceptive or fraudulent practices.

Removal

Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it may block the file from running, move it to the quarantine where it cannot spread or cause harm, or ask you to select an action.

A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:

  • Check for the latest database updates

    First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.

  • Submit a sample

    After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.

    Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.

  • Exclude a file from further scanning

    If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.

    Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.

Technical Details

This is a family of rogue antispyware programs that pose as legitimate security applications.

The purpose of these programs is to deceive the user into buying a license for the application. To do so, the rogue displays faked or forged scanning results that make it appear as if the system is infected. The user is then urged to buy a license in order to deal with the supposed infections.

The name of the rogue antispyware program varies depending on the variant. Most variants will use one of the following names:&&

  • SpySheriff
  • Spy-Shredder
  • Pest Trap
  • AntiVir Protect&

Installation

Installation starts by showing a "generic" End User License Agreement (EULA). If the user agrees to the EULA, the installer downloads and installs the rogue on the system.

Files and components of this rogue are normally installed on:

  • %Program Files%\[application name]