How to Avoid Bogus Spyware Blockers

We've all experienced those annoying spyware ads that pop up while we browse the Internet. Most of us know by now that clicking on these ads can be a recipe for PC disaster, seeing how most ads immediately infect your computer with a virus. It is becoming more and more important to be extremely careful about what you click on when you browse the Internet in order to avoid this problem.

The best way to avoid getting a virus through pesky spyware is to purchase or download a spyware blocker, but what you may not know is that many spyware blockers these days are actually dangerous virus-causing "anti-spyware blockers." Recently, the biggest threats for viruses have stemmed not only from spyware ads, but by actual spyware blockers that seem legitimate but are actually fake and driven by hackers.

Bogusware, scareware or rogueware - whatever you want to call them, are all different names given to describe generally the same thing: rogue security products that masquerade as the real thing. According to numbers published by the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG), more than 485,000 rogue security samples were detected for 2009, which is more than double the statistical total for 2008.

According to a new Symantic report on cybercrime, millions of U.S. computers are loaded with scam anti-spyware software that make the machines more vulnerable, even if their owners have paid for it. Online hackers are increasingly planting fake security alerts that pop up when computer users access a legitimate website. The "alert" warns them of a virus and offers security software, sometimes for free and sometimes for a fee.

At first, it was assumed that most of the software applications were only showing up on porn, P2P and warez sites, but now that is changing. In recent months, mainstream websites such The New York Times came under attack for hosting an advertisement on its site that redirected readers to a fake anti-virus package. The advertisement alerted readers on the website that their computer had been infected, and it prompted them to download scam anti-virus software. A notice was posted on the site shortly after telling readers not to click on any anti-virus ads that may pop up while visiting the site.

Google plays a key factor in the distribution of not-so-honest links. Fake anti-virus applications still routinely show up in the pretext of Google adwords and in search results when you are searching out new anti-spyware software to download.

It is important to be informed on which spyware blockers are real and which are impostors. According to an article by PC Authority, 5 rogue spyware blockers you should avoid are SpySherrif, WinFixer, MacSweeper, Green Antivirus 2009, and MS Antivirus 2009.

If you are looking for a legitimate and reliable spyware blocker, Spyware Doctor is the right one for you. Spyware Doctor is consistently one of the highest rated spyware blocking software from CNET. Spyware Doctor is the piece of software that stops spyware in its tracks! Download Spyware Doctor at www.spyware-blockers.com.