Threat Level:

“Warning! Potential spyware operation!” is a fake security alert probably produced by a trojan pimping rogue anti-spyware software. Rogue — or fake — antispyware will popup fake critical system error messages saying:

“Your computer is making unauthorized copies of your system and Internet files. Run full scan now to prevent any unauthorized access to your files! Click here to download spyware remover…”

That “Warning! Potential spyware operation!” alert isn’t your real problem. Your real problem is that you’re infected with fake anti-spyware trying to scare you into wasting $20-50.

Unless you like getting ripped off, ignore that “Warning! Potential spyware operation!” popup.

Help! Get Rid of “Warning! Potential spyware operation!” Popup

You can search your computer manually, but it might take hours to find hidden files related to that “Warning! Potential spyware operation!” message. To save time, I recommend you automatically scan your PC for “Warning! Potential spyware operation!” and other spyware. Why not? It’s free.

Free “Warning! Potential spyware operation!” Popup Scan, with SpyHunter

You can easily detect the files behind that “Warning! Potential spyware operation!” popup with SpyHunter’s FREE spyware scanner. And if you’re really infected anything — maybe you’re not! — , you can buy the full version of SpyHunter to remove “Warning! Potential spyware operation!”-related files and other spyware.

I’m a big fan of SpyHunter. Here’s why: SpyHunter offers live support on the phone, and if SpyHunter doesn’t automatically remove “Warning! Potential spyware operation!”, you can get a custom fix for your computer.

“Warning! Potential spyware operation!” popup changed your homepage?
Click Windows Start menu > Control Panel > Internet Options. Next, under Home Page, select the General > Use Default. Type in the URL you want as your home page (e.g., “http://www.homepage.com”). Then select Apply > OK. You’ll want to open a fresh web page and make sure that your new default home page pops up.

Some Trojans may also fall under the category of spyware. Spyware is any software or malware (”malicious software”) used to spy or track your computer activity. While some spyware is legitimately and intentionally installed by parents or employers to monitor Internet activity on a computer, spyware may be installed maliciously. Often spyware may come bundled with downloads of free software or come in the form of a cookie via a website, and this spyware may track your Internet activity or may steal secret account usernames and passwords, credit card numbers, and other personal and financial information.

Methods of “Warning! Potential spyware operation!” and Other Trojans Infection

Most trojans infect your computer by tricking you into running an infected application. This infected application could disguised as a small file, such as a jpeg or other email attachment, or it might be downloaded via a website or FTP.

» Email: Your PC may be infected with a trojan when you download infected email attachments, or sometimes even when you simply open an email. Many trojans exploit security holes in Microsoft Outlook. You may be able to reduce your chances of getting infected by a Trojan by using a spam-blocking software.

» Websites: Your PC may be infected with a trojan when you visit a rogue site. Many trojans exploit security holes in Internet Explorer web browser so that by simply visiting a website you may unknowingly download a Trojan.

» Open ports: If your computer runs programs that provide file-sharing functions - such as AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), MSN Messenger, and more - you may open your computer up to vulnerabilities. Using file sharing through these applications may create a network that gives attackers the opportunity to remotely access your computer.

“Warning! Potential spyware operation!” may have infected your PC by through one of those methods. Trojans are some of the most sophisticated and dangerous type of malware, capable of controlling your system. Because of this, it may be best if “Warning! Potential spyware operation!” and Trojans are removed from your computer immediately.

Often when you’re infected with rogue anti-spyware like “Warning! Potential spyware operation!”, you’ll see a false popup security alert like this:

Rogue Anti-Spyware Tactics

Typically, rogue anti-spyware has one or more of the qualities listed below, which is why rogue anti-spyware is considered anti-spyware software of questionable value.

» False positives/fake alerts: Rogue anti-spyware may produce a large number of false positives or use fake alerts, noting that your computer is infected with spyware parasites or other threats that do not really exist.

» Copycat looks: Rogue anti-spyware may copy the look and feel of other legitimate or rogue anti-spyware applications. Often, rogue anti-spyware applications may appear as close clones of other rogue anti-spyware software.

» High pressure marketing: Rogue anti-spyware may use scare tactics or other aggressive advertising and marketing tactics to try to trick you into buying the rogue anti-spyware application. Often, rogue anti-spyware may produce false positives and fake alerts about your computer being infected.

» Poor detection/scan reporting: Rogue anti-spyware may produce poor reports when it scans your PC. For example, rogue anti-spyware may say your computer is infected 11 parasites, but not specify which spyware parasites or what type of parasites. Rogue anti-spyware may also report that your PC is infected with SafeAndClean, but not tell you which related files, DLLS, etc. were found on your computer.

» Weak scanning/detection: Rogue anti-spyware may not only poorly report on computer infection, but rogue antispyware may also poorly scan your PC. Rogue anti-spyware may skip over important folders and files of your computer that should be scanned to detect spyware.

“Warning! Potential spyware operation!” may use these tactics to trick or scare you into purchasing “Warning! Potential spyware operation!”.

"“Warning! Potential spyware operation!”" keywords: Rogue Anti Spyware, Trojans

"“Warning! Potential spyware operation!”" was posted on Sunday, March 16th, 2008 at 9:25 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.