If you work with computers, then chances are you’ve heard of or had to deal with the malware programs called Antivirus2009 and Antivirus360. This rogue AV software has been tricking users into believing they have viruses on their computers and claiming that the rogue AV software can remove the viruses for them. But, the software is not a real AV program. Instead it installs its own malware and trojan viruses on the computer and never touches any viruses that may have been on the computer to begin with.
Brian Krebs of the Washington Post reported a week ago about an affiliate program called Traffic Converter. This affiliate program pays people who help distribute the rogue AV software. This is part of the reason why this program has been able to spread so rampantly. Many of these affiliates have been making tens of thousands of dollars a month scamming people who pay for this rogue antivirus software.
Both Mastercard and VISA made actual onsite visits to the merchant company after the Washington Post report ran. Since then, the affiliate accounts have been frozen and messages on the Traffic Converter website have stated so.
It is very rare to see such a case where two credit giants come together to help shutdown a company that distributes rogue antivirus software. It is good to see happen. But, it also goes as a reminder that there are many more affiliate programs out there that have payouts just as high. Keep your computer safe by avoiding the installation of these rogue AV programs. If a website says that it scanned your computer and found viruses, it is probably a fake and you should never install software unless your are absolutely positive of its origin.