Microsoft cleans fake antivirus tool from 994,061 PCs

***hey_moe*** · November 27th, 2008, 08:55

The Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) is a small program Microsoft pushes out to computers on Patch Tuesday to clean out a list of malware. On this month's Patch Tuesday, Microsoft added scans for a malware file that masks itself as security software, and it found plenty of copies.
Win32/FakeSecSen has gone by various names, including Micro Antivirus 2009, MS Antivirus, Spyware Preventer, Vista Antivirus 2008, Advanced Antivirus, System Antivirus 2008, Ultimate Antivirus 2008, Windows Antivirus, XPert Antivirus, Power Antivirus, and Ultra Antivirus 2009. Furthermore, it is skinnable, so each of these variants has a different GUI, although the basic functionality is the same: bother users with warnings of malware until they pay up.

**Gdavis101** · November 27th, 2008, 11:40

It throws me how many people actually fall for it and pay for it.

R C CAWTE · November 28th, 2008, 10:02

Hey,moe.How the hell do i get rid of it.Removal tool won,t touch it,and AVG just keeps telling me i have infections but cant clean or quarantine.
HELPPPPPP

**Gdavis101** · November 28th, 2008, 11:40

AVG Rootkit 7 will get rid of the XP 2008 one, but as for the 2009 one I am not sure.

**Cratermaker** · November 28th, 2008, 11:41

Recently, a friend had some adware crap for an anti-virus tool. The MS tool wouldn't remove it, but Spybot Search and Destroy did. Make sure you get the right one from a large reputable download sight. There is another one out there masking as it with a similar name, but not quite the same name.