Symantec Threat Bulletin: Rogue AV Live PC Care

Symantec warns Rogue AV Live PC Care offers customer support to dupe the unwary

Symantec’s security response team has detected the Live PC Care service to be fake antivirus software and is warning users not to be fooled by what is an apparently plausible attempt to get people to pay for computer support services.

The fake antivirus software known has now gone as far as offering live online support to potential victims, aiming to reassure suspicious victims that Live PC Care is legitimate software and that without purchasing and activating it, the computer system could be at risk.

Symantec has determined that the scam is not an automated script but is instead a live person at the other end. If a potential victim clicks on the online support button they are brought to a live support chat session.

Fake antivirus software is big business these days with Symantec reporting 43 million installation attempts from over 250 distinct programs between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009. With fake AV software costing the victim anywhere from $30 to $100, this is a lucrative earner for cybercriminals.

Symantec warns computer users to be wary of fake antivirus software and recommends not clicking on suspicious or unknown links.

For a more comprehensive description of this threat, please visit this posting on Symantec’s Security Response blog.

Do let us know if you would like to speak to one of our security experts about how fake antivirus software works and what can be done to avoid falling victim to these scams.

Media Contact:

Jasmin Athwal

Max Australia

+61 2 9954 3492

Jasmin.Athwal@maxaustralia.com.au