Microsoft warns of fake "Security Essentials 2010" anti-virus (Win32/Fakeinit)

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[Samker]

Microsoft is warning users about a fake anti virus product named "Security Essentials 2010", near identical to the naming of the company's own protection software.

The fake software is actually the trojan Win32/Fakeinit. If a user installs the software then Fakeinit’s downloader installs a fake scanner component that monitors other processes and attempts to terminate them. In some cases, processes will be flagged as if they are infected. The trojan also lowers a number of security settings in the registry and changes the desktop background to an unchangeable multicoloured warning:



"Well, it had to happen eventually. One of the oldest tricks used by rogue antivirus products is to use a similar name as, or have a similar look and feel to, legitimate security software. It’s been commonplace for them to mimic the Windows Security Center. So it was inevitable that the day would arrive when a rogue would masquerade as something similar to Microsoft Security Essentials. If anything, it surprises me a little that it’s taken so long," said David Woods at Microsoft Security: http://blogs.technet.com/mmpc/archive/2010/02/24/if-it-calls-itself-security-essentials-2010-then-it-s-possibly-fake-innit.aspx

Microsoft confirmed its own genuine Security Essentials software removes the trojan. Security Essentials is designed to work on Windows XP, Vista and 7 and protects end users against virus threats and spy ware. MSE is Microsoft's free anti-virus and anti-spyware product that is set to replace Microsoft's paid Windows Live OneCare subscription service which was withdrawn earlier this year.

The fake Security Essentials 2010 also prompts end users to activate and pay for a "full version". Microsoft's own Security Essentials is available free for download:

Download: Windows XP (32 bit): http://download.microsoft.com/download/A/3/8/A38FFBF2-1122-48B4-AF60-E44F6DC28BD8/mssefullinstall-x86fre-en-us-xp.exe
Download: Windows Vista & Windows 7 (32 bit): http://download.microsoft.com/download/A/3/8/A38FFBF2-1122-48B4-AF60-E44F6DC28BD8/mssefullinstall-x86fre-en-us-vista-win7.exe
Download: Windows Vista & Windows 7 (64 bit): http://download.microsoft.com/download/A/3/8/A38FFBF2-1122-48B4-AF60-E44F6DC28BD8/mssefullinstall-amd64fre-en-us-vista-win7.exe

(NeoWin)

[haz]

By The Way, how does Microsoft's antivirus compare with other free antiviruses ? I've been using it for a while now, and Im impressed with its "lightness", I barely notice an antivirus software is running on the system !

[Samker]

By The Way, how does Microsoft's antivirus compare with other free antiviruses ? I've been using it for a while now, and Im impressed with its "lightness", I barely notice an antivirus software is running on the system !

In AV Comparative's most recent report on malware removal, MSE was the only free antivirus rated Advanced+ : http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/removal/avc_removal_2009.pdf

It is light on system resources and runs quietly without constantly popping up messages and annoying you...
It only works on legally licensed Microsoft computers, which is understandable but potentially leaves a large segment of the unprotected population still unprotected.

In my opinion, it's recommended for those who want something to set and ignore, but users who want more robust configuration choices or don't want to contribute to the cloud should look elsewhere, because it's still Microsoft and you never know...
 

[haz]

because it's still Microsoft and you never know... Wink

Thanks Samker

[duomaxwell22]

too bad for me, MSE not available in our country.. 

[Samker]

too bad for me, MSE not available in our country.. 

DM, let we try one trick with MSE. 

Microsoft have limited list of countries where Microsoft Security Essentials is available for download, but all international users who live elsewhere have possibility to use US version of the page where anyone can grab their distributive kit easily - no proxy is required at all.
Download MSE (en-us): http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/?mkt=en-us

If you still experience problem, go to Internet Explorer's -> Tools -> Internet Options -> Languages and add there English (United States) as an additional language, then exit and launch them again.

Hope this will help you to test/use MSE??

Regards,

S.

[xtremeboyz]

DM, let we try one trick with MSE. 

Microsoft have limited list of countries where Microsoft Security Essentials is available for download, but all international users who live elsewhere have possibility to use US version of the page where anyone can grab their distributive kit easily - no proxy is required at all.
Download MSE (en-us): http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/?mkt=en-us

If you still experience problem, go to Internet Explorer's -> Tools -> Internet Options -> Languages and add there English (United States) as an additional language, then exit and launch them again.

Hope this will help you to test/use MSE??

Regards,

S.

does this applies to other MS products as well???

[Samker]

does this applies to other MS products as well???

Probably if they have some Regional restrictions for download-installation.

[duomaxwell22]

thats good.. thank you very much!

[qwertysan]

its rather difficult to clean once it infect your system. I have to rescan couple of times just to make sure its clean when the annoying pop up appear again.