Internet Security Essentials
Internet Security Essentials, also InternetSecurityEssentials, is rogue security software pretending to protect the computer against malware and viruses. It is one of several clones belonging to the "FakeVimes" family of fake antivirus malware.[1][2]
 | |
| Technical name | Trojan:Win32/FakeVimes |
|---|---|
| Aliases |
|
| Family | Malware |
| Type | Rogue Security Software |
| Subtype | Trojan |
| Isolation | 2009[3] |
Similarly named utilities
The malware is deliberately named so as a subterfuge, because there are several legitimate security utilities with similar names, specifically:
- Internet Security Essentials by Comodo Group[4]
- Microsoft Security Essentials
- Webroot Internet Security Essentials
Operation
As a fake antivirus program affecting Microsoft operating systems (Windows 9x, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8) it installs itself through the use of a trojan horse. Once downloaded and operating, it claims to find various viruses and malware on the computer that pose imminent danger scaring the user through pop-ups to buy its protection (scareware), while in reality the program itself is the malware.
See also
References
- "Internet Security Essentials". Remove Spyware & Malware with SpyHunter - EnigmaSoft Ltd. 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
- Wood, David; Roberts, Ray. "Win32/FakeVimes threat description -Windows Defender Security Intelligence". Microsoft. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
- "Threat Detail | ESET Virusradar". www.virusradar.com. ESET.
- "Definition of Comodo Internet Security Essentials, Network Security, SSL Certificate". Comodo. Retrieved 2019-01-18.