AntiMalware Doctor

AntiMalware Doctor - A Fake Security Tool

"A wolf in sheep's clothing" best describes the so-called AntiMalware Doctor "security" application. AMD tells you it has scanned your PC and found malware, then tries to sell you a program that removes the malware. But the truth is another matter. AntiMalware Doctor doesn't scan for malware; it just generates scary "alert" screens and sales pitches.

AntiMalware Doctor itself is the malware, a "rogue security tool" that has invaded your PC. AntiMalware Doctor may find its way onto your PC through a security vulnerability in a website that you visited; in a file attached to an email you opened; as part of a Trojan Horse application that you downloaded and installed; or through any of the other channels by which bad guys sneak malware into the world. No matter how AntiMalware Doctor got into your system, it causes suffering and can be difficult to remove.

AntiMalware Doctor is very disruptive, throwing pop-up "alerts" at you constantly in an effort to scare you into buying the so-called "cure" for malware that may not even exist on your system. If AntiMalware Doctor has been modified by hackers, it may send your various passwords and account names to its creators. It may attach itself to an email message and mail itself to everyone in your address book, infecting them too. Really, a modified AntiMalware Doctor can do a lot of damage. But in most cases, it is "only" very annoying. And getting rid of AntiMalware Doctor is not easy.

Be very careful when you go searching for "AntiMalware Doctor removal" online. Thousands of "removal guides" that look like exactly what you need are, in fact, fronts for exactly what you have. The typical scam goes like this:

• Click here to scan your PC for the presence of AntiMalware Doctor
• "Uh-huh, you're infected with AntiMalware Doctor.
• But don't panic! Click here to download the free removal tool.

You guessed it; the "removal tool" is actually AntiMalware Doctor, or another rogue security tool. This trick doesn't fool you, because you are calm now. But many people fall for it when they are angry, scared, and desperate for an end of all those AntiMalware Doctor pop-up screens. Emotion trumps reason more often than not. Even tech-savvy geeks get caught up by AntiMalware Doctor scams that they know all about but are not thinking about when they "click here..."

Stick with well-known brand name anti-malware software to be sure you are really getting a utility that will remove AntiMalware Doctor and other malware, instead of downloading even more. Go to the official sites of companies like Symantec, AVG Antivirus, and MalwareBytes AntiMalware. See my related articles Free Anti-Virus Programs and Free AntiSpyware Programs for more recommendations and download links.

You may have to try more than one anti-virus utility to remove AntiMalware Doctor, or any other malware that has been "in the wild" for some time. That's because malware authors are adaptive little vermin. When one anti-malware utility snuffs their malware, they rewrite their malware to evade detection or defeat removal. It's a never-ending war between the good guys and bad guys. But if one anti-malware utility does not remove the problem, chances are good that another will. Just keep trying.

The best solution is to avoid getting infected with malware in the first place, of course. Install an anti-malware suite that monitors and protects your system in real time. Real-time protection means the utility is constantly checking every byte that comes into your computer via every channel - browser, email, P2P, etc. When the monitor detects the digital "signature" of malware, or notes a program doing something that is typical of malware, it blocks the suspect software's actions and alerts you.

Do you have something to say about AntiMalware Doctor or other fake security tools? Post your comment or question below...