SmitFraud
Encyclopedia
SmitFraud or W32/SmitFraud.A is a type of spyware
that installs itself into a computer via adware
, without the user's knowledge. Most of the time, it installs itself after a computer user installs a spurious codec
, such as BrainCodec, PCodec or VideoKeyCodec. It is also embedded in certain programs, such as iVideo, and many downloadable music files from music sharing programs and torrents. SmitFraud infects a Windows DLL
with a computer virus
, and typically changes the infected computer's desktop background into a Blue Screen of Death
.
SmitFraud is now being used to term infections wherein users receive fake alerts from software luring the user into installing some affiliated fake/rogue anti-spyware
with or without user's knowledge.
Spyware
Spyware is a type of malware that can be installed on computers, and which collects small pieces of information about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect. Typically, spyware is secretly installed on the user's...
that installs itself into a computer via adware
Adware
Adware, or advertising-supported software, is any software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertisements to a computer. These advertisements can be in the form of a pop-up. They may also be in the user interface of the software or on a screen presented to the user during...
, without the user's knowledge. Most of the time, it installs itself after a computer user installs a spurious codec
Codec
A codec is a device or computer program capable of encoding or decoding a digital data stream or signal. The word codec is a portmanteau of "compressor-decompressor" or, more commonly, "coder-decoder"...
, such as BrainCodec, PCodec or VideoKeyCodec. It is also embedded in certain programs, such as iVideo, and many downloadable music files from music sharing programs and torrents. SmitFraud infects a Windows DLL
Dynamic-link library
Dynamic-link library , or DLL, is Microsoft's implementation of the shared library concept in the Microsoft Windows and OS/2 operating systems...
with a computer virus
Computer virus
A computer virus is a computer program that can replicate itself and spread from one computer to another. The term "virus" is also commonly but erroneously used to refer to other types of malware, including but not limited to adware and spyware programs that do not have the reproductive ability...
, and typically changes the infected computer's desktop background into a Blue Screen of Death
Blue Screen of Death
To forse a BSOD Open regedit.exe,Then search: HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\i8042prt\ParametersThen make a new DWORD called "CrashOnCtrlScroll" And set the value to 1....
.
SmitFraud is now being used to term infections wherein users receive fake alerts from software luring the user into installing some affiliated fake/rogue anti-spyware
Spyware
Spyware is a type of malware that can be installed on computers, and which collects small pieces of information about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect. Typically, spyware is secretly installed on the user's...
with or without user's knowledge.
See also
- Rogue softwareRogue softwareRogue security software is a form of computer malware that deceives or misleads users into paying for the fake or simulated removal of malware, or that installs other malware...
- Spydawn
- SpylockedSpylockedSpyLocked, also known as SpywareLocked, is rogue software that seeks to trick the user into purchasing its full rogue version. SpyLocked issues false security messages alleging that the user's computer is infected with malicious spyware...
/Spywarelocked - SpySheriffSpySheriffSpySheriff is malware that disguises itself as an anti-spyware program. SpySheriff is also known as Brave Sentry, Pest Trap, SpyTrooper, and SpywareNo. The program attempts to trick the user of an infected computer into buying the program by repeatedly informing them of false threats to their system...
- VirusheatVirusheatVirusHeat is a rogue anti-spyware program that is part of the Smitfraud family. VirusHeat tricks users into buying the full version of the program through repeated false alerts and popups, purporting to alert the user that there is a system error or they are infected, and must buy the full version...