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XP-Shield

 
Threat LevelLow threatDamageHighDistributionNot widespread
Common name:XP-Shield
Technical name:Adware/XP-Shield
Threat level:Medium
Type:Adware
Effects:  

It passes itself off as the Windows Security Center in order to deceive users and warns them of unexisting threats in their computers. In order to eliminate them, they are enticed to purchase a certain program. It can be downloaded from the website belonging to the company that has developed it.

Affected platforms:

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

First detected on:May 16, 2008
Detection updated on:Feb. 23, 2010
StatisticsNo

Brief Description 

    

XP-Shield is an adware program that attempts to pass itself off as the Windows Security Center and deceive users warning them of unexisting threats in their computers so that they purchase a certain program that removes them from the computer.

XP-Shield can be voluntarily downloaded from the website belonging to the company that has developed it.

Visible Symptoms 

    

XP-Shield is easy to recognize as, once installed, it shows the following symptoms:

  • Periodically, it displays popups like the following warning users that their computer is infected with malware:

  • An icon imitating the Windows Security Center is displayed in the System Tray: