Alpha Antivirus, The Next Generation of Personal Antivirus

Alpha Antivirus is another of the numerous rogue spyware programs making its way around the Internet these days. It is the next generation of the dangerous and popular Personal Antivirus.

What is Alpha Antivirus?

Alpha Antivirus is dangerous rogue spyware that tries to trick you into purchasing bogus software by bombarding you with simulated virus scans and fake security warnings that your computer is infected. The important thing to remember is that Alpha Antivirus will not remove any malware from your computer because it is the malware. Unfortunately rogue spyware is also capable of stealing your sensitive personal information through the use of key loggers and web trackers. It then can send this information to a remote host where some less than scrupulous people are waiting to use your information for their own personal gain.

How did I get Alpha Antivirus on my computer?

The most common ways to get infected include

• Links or downloads that are spread through social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook
• Maliciously coded web sites that popup a warning message that you are infected.
• E-mail messages that trick you into clicking an embedded link.
• Web sites that claim you need to download additional software like an audio codec or a video viewer.
• Instant message systems.

What exactly can Rogue Spyware do?

• Steal passwords, credit card numbers and personal information.
• Trick you into purchasing illegitimate software by simulating detection of infections
• Hijack your web browser by blocking access to websites of legitimate software vendors.
• Negatively affect the performance of your computer
• Disable automatic system updates
• Install additional malware onto your computer.

How can I protect myself?

The best way to protect yourself is by installing a legitimate anti-spyware program. There are only a few highly regarded anti-spyware programs that are capable of removing infections like Alpha Antivirus. One of those is called Spyware Doctor and is from a company called PCTools. Spyware Doctor has won awards year after year from top magazine publishers and top testing labs as being the best anti-spyware on the market today.

With cyber-criminals currently making an estimated 30 million plus every month getting innocent folks to buy there bogus software like Alpha Antivirus, rogue spyware won't be going away any time soon. In fact, current estimates would have you believe that more than 20 new rogue spyware infections have been introduced in just the time it has taken me to write this article.