ContraVirus
Encyclopedia
ContraVirus is a Rogue Spyware
application that poses as a legitimate anti-spyware program. The application uses a false scanner to force computer users to pay for the removal of non-existent spyware items. It may also be known as ExpertAntivirus.
, along with possible other software. Typically, it may be installed by the SmitFraud
trojan.
95
, 98
, Me
, NT
, XP
, Server 2000, 2000
, Server 2003
, Vista
, Server 2008, 7 and Server 2008 R2
are operating systems capable of becoming infected.
, Spybot Search & Destroy, and the Norton Family of Security products.
Spyware
Spyware is a type of malware that can be installed on computers, and which collects small pieces of information about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect. Typically, spyware is secretly installed on the user's...
application that poses as a legitimate anti-spyware program. The application uses a false scanner to force computer users to pay for the removal of non-existent spyware items. It may also be known as ExpertAntivirus.
Methods of Infection
ContraVirus may be downloaded as a Trojan horseTrojan horse (computing)
A Trojan horse, or Trojan, is software that appears to perform a desirable function for the user prior to run or install, but steals information or harms the system. The term is derived from the Trojan Horse story in Greek mythology.-Malware:A destructive program that masquerades as a benign...
, along with possible other software. Typically, it may be installed by the SmitFraud
SmitFraud
SmitFraud or W32/SmitFraud.A is a type of spyware that installs itself into a computer via adware, without the user's knowledge. Most of the time, it installs itself after a computer user installs a spurious codec, such as BrainCodec, PCodec or VideoKeyCodec...
trojan.
Symptoms of infection
ContraVirus has been known to display fake messages stating that a user's computer is infected with spyware. It may also install the file wincom27.dll, located in C:\WINDOWS\ and ext32inc.dll located in C:\WINDOWS\system\, in order to persuade a user to purchase the software. Traditionally, a user will see Contravirus running a "scan" of their computer at which time a user will be prompted to purchase the Contravirus software in order to remove the threat. It may also hijack the user's browser and install a toolbar.95
Windows 95
Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products...
, 98
Windows 98
Windows 98 is a graphical operating system by Microsoft. It is the second major release in the Windows 9x line of operating systems. It was released to manufacturing on 15 May 1998 and to retail on 25 June 1998. Windows 98 is the successor to Windows 95. Like its predecessor, it is a hybrid...
, Me
Windows Me
Windows Millennium Edition, or Windows Me , is a graphical operating system released on September 14, 2000 by Microsoft, and was the last operating system released in the Windows 9x series. Support for Windows Me ended on July 11, 2006....
, NT
Windows NT
Windows NT is a family of operating systems produced by Microsoft, the first version of which was released in July 1993. It was a powerful high-level-language-based, processor-independent, multiprocessing, multiuser operating system with features comparable to Unix. It was intended to complement...
, XP
Windows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
, Server 2000, 2000
Windows 2000
Windows 2000 is a line of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, business desktops, laptops, and servers. Windows 2000 was released to manufacturing on 15 December 1999 and launched to retail on 17 February 2000. It is the successor to Windows NT 4.0, and is the...
, Server 2003
Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2003 is a server operating system produced by Microsoft, introduced on 24 April 2003. An updated version, Windows Server 2003 R2, was released to manufacturing on 6 December 2005...
, Vista
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
, Server 2008, 7 and Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2008 R2 is a server operating system produced by Microsoft. It was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009 and launched on October 22, 2009. According to the Windows Server Team blog, the retail availability was September 14, 2009. It is built on Windows NT 6.1, the same core...
are operating systems capable of becoming infected.
Removal
The removal of Contravirus is difficult and may require assistance from qualified IT Support Personnel. However, users have had success removing the program using the SmitFraudFix.zip program, as well as well known programs Kaspersky Anti-VirusKaspersky Anti-Virus
Kaspersky Anti-Virus is an antivirus program developed by Kaspersky Lab. It is designed to protect users from malware and is primarily designed for computers running Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X, though a version for Linux is available for business consumers....
, Spybot Search & Destroy, and the Norton Family of Security products.