How To Identify Fake Anti-Virus Software

Today, people from all over the world are doing whatever they can to keep their computers virus free. People are becoming more, and more educated on ways to avoid accidentally downloading a virus that can wreck havoc on their computer. Spam email use to just be a nuisance as it filled up your inbox, but now more often than not a spam email can contain unwanted virus software that may be difficult to get rid of once your computer is infected with it. Although these problems can be bothersome, they are easy to avoid by applying some restraint in not opening unfamiliar emails, and using some common sense. Unfortunately, there is a menace that some people are not even aware of when it comes to computer viruses - fake anti-virus software.

Although identifying fake software can be tricky, it is still possible to identify potentially problematic programs. Here are some important things to keep in mind when dealing with anti-virus software that could be a fake:

    Fake anti-virus software will usually have an unusual pop-up window This pop-up window will usually be informing you that it is scanning your computer for viruses. It will then ask you to confirm that you want to get rid of these "viruses". The catch is that you have to "upgrade" the fake software in order to get the version needed to get rid of the reported threat to your computer.

    Fake anti-virus software will also make it very difficult to close down If you are finding that it is nearly impossible to close the new pop-up windows for the software, chances are that the program is probably a fake. Real software may have a small pop-up window appear, but these windows are usually off to the side, and you will still have the ability to close them without disrupting your normal internet usage.

    Real anti-virus software gives you ways to contact customer service Since the company that is behind the fake software does not want an easy way for you to track where the software came from, usually a fake anti-virus software will have virtually no way to contact the company. Or, if you send the company a message, you don't hear back from them. Before you download a program from a website, make sure that you have a way to get in contact with the company in case you need assistance with the removal of the program.

While there are many reputable anti-virus software companies on the market, unfortunately there are many dubious companies as well. Be sure to back up your files before downloading software from an unknown source. If you think you may have been infected with a virus, you can do a search online with the name of the software, and check to see if someone else has encountered the same problem. If so, continue to search until you find someone that was able to find a way to disable, and delete the fake anti-virus software.