It passes itself off as a legitimate antivirus program with options and functions similar to those of a real antivirus solution. It detects spyware activity, which is false, and simulates that it has been blocked. It can reach the computer through banners or pop-up windows which are displayed in certain websites.

Windows 2003/XP/2000/NT/ME/98/95

Terminator2009 is an adware program that passes itself off as a legitimate antivirus program with options and functions similar to those of a real antivirus solution.

Among the options it offers, it can carry out scans of the system in search for possible malware. If the scan is performed, it will detect spyware activity, which is false, and will simulate that it has been blocked.

Its objective is to make users purchase the full version of the program, which is not free.

Terminator2009 can reach the computer when the user accesses certain websites which display banners or pop-up windows which lead to the download of this program.

Terminator2009 is easy to recognize, as it shows the following symptoms:

• When it is run, a window is displayed with an interface similar to an antivirus program's.
• Among the options it offers, it can carry out scans of the system in search for possible malware.
• If the users clicks this option, it starts scanning the system and displays periodically security warnings informing users that spyware activity has been detected and blocked: