Nearly every computer users understands the need for security, one of the first things that people do when they get a new system is to install a trusted antivirus program. This has led to a big market for legitimate security software, understandably. But it has also led to the creation of a new industry: rogue antivirus programs. Last year, scareware raked in over $34 million per month from computer users who were persuaded to buy their software. Knowing how to avoid rogue antivirus programs like System Tool is essential for every computer user.

What is System Tool?

System Tool is one of 5.65 million known scareware variants in the world. This is designed, as are all rogue antivirus programs, to persuade users to purchase their software. They do this by claiming to provide a full suite of security features that will resolve the problems – e.g. pop-ups, security scan results, slow performance – which the user is facing. It is essential that the computer user know two things: the "threats" they are facing are made up, and the protection offered by rogues is also entirely fictional.

System Tool in Your Computer

Scareware depends on the same routes of entry into your system. These are:

• Stealth download. System Tool is most commonly spread through a trojan which disguises itself as a free music or media codec. These are usually found on sites that offer free videos or pirated material. When you download the codec, you download a trojan with malware.

• User Installation. This mode of entry is less common, though it is more damaging to the user. A computer owner, convinced by the trial version of the rogue that they have severe security issues, purchases the scareware and installs it. They find that they have no more protection than before, and they are still facing the same issues.

Signals of a Rogue

Scareware begins by quietly altering your security settings so it can run undetected. After this, it launches an active campaign designed to build their argument that your computer is infected. You will notice:

• False security scan results. Imitative of legitimate scan results, these indicate a scan is running and list several "infected" files. You are urged to remove them, which of course, will require you to buy the program.

• Pop-up ads. These appear from your taskbar and warn of your specific infections System Tool claims to find, such as viruses, trojans, malware, and spyware.

• Blocked programs. When you try to run your security program, you will be told that the "application cannot be executed" because the file is infected.

• Hijacked desktop. Another warning message to users. Instead of your desktop, you will see "Warning!" in big letters across the screen, and then a bizarre alert that your hard drive information can be accessed by the police, your boss, spouse, children, and friends. You are urged to "secure yourself right now."

These threats are completely false; there are no trojans, no viruses, and no "forensics" analysts in your hard drive. Your best move is to eliminate System Tool from your computer so you can return to optimal functioning.