SpySheriff[a] is malware that disguises itself as anti-spyware software. It attempts to mislead the user with false security alerts, threatening them into buying the program.[4] Like other rogue antiviruses, after producing a list of false threats, it prompts the user to pay to remove them. The software is particularly difficult to remove,[5][self-published source] since it nests its components in System Restore folders, and also blocks some system management tools. However, SpySheriff can be removed by an experienced user, antivirus software, or by using a rescue disk.
SpySheriff was hosted at both www.spysheriff.com and www.spy-sheriff.com,[6][self-published source] which operated from 2005 until their shutdown in 2008.[citation needed] Both domains are now parked. Several other similarly-named websites also hosted the program but have all been shut down.
Features of a SpySheriff infectionedit
A fake infection warning pop-up
SpySheriff is designed to behave like genuine antispyware software. Its user interface features a progress bar and counts allegedly found threats, but its scan results are deliberately false, with cryptic names such as "Trojan VX …" to mislead and scare the user.[7][8]
Removal attempts may be unsuccessful and SpySheriff may reinstall itself.[citation needed]
The desktop background may be replaced with an image resembling a Blue Screen of Death, or a notice reading, "SPYWARE INFECTION! Your system is infected with spyware. Windows recommends that you use a spyware removal tool to prevent loss of data. Using this PC before having it cleaned of spyware threats is highly discouraged."[citation needed]
Attempts to remove SpySheriff via Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel either fails or causes the computer to restart unexpectedly.[9]
Attempts to connect to the Internet in any Web browser is blocked by SpySheriff. Spy-Sheriff.com becomes the only accessible website, and can be opened through the program's control panel.[citation needed]
Attempts to remove SpySheriff via System Restore are blocked as it prevents the calendar and restore points from loading. Users can overcome this by undoing the previous restore operation, after which the system will restore itself, allowing for easier removal of SpySheriff.[9]
SpySheriff can detect certain antispyware and antivirus programs running on the machine, and disable them by ending their processes as soon as it detects them. This may prevent its detection and removal by legitimate antivirus programs.[citation needed]
SpySheriff can disable Task Manager and Registry Editor, preventing the user from ending its active process or removing its registry entries from Windows. Renaming the 'regedit' and 'taskmgr' executables will solve this problem.[citation needed]
^Also known by numerous other names, including BraveSentry, Pest Trap, SpyTrooper, Adware Sheriff, SpywareNo, SpyLocked, SpywareQuake, SpyDawn, AntiVirGear, SpyDemolisher, System Security, SpywareStrike, SpyShredder, Alpha Cleaner, SpyMarshal, Adware Alert, Malware Stopper, Mr. Antispy, Spycrush, SpyAxe, MalwareAlarm, VirusBurst, VirusBursters, DIARemover, AntiVirus Gold, Antivirus Golden, SpyFalcon, and TheSpyBot/SpywareBot. The name SpywareBot is used to confuse them with the legitimate SpyBot anti-spyware software.
Referencesedit
^"Fortiguard". 2005-09-21. from the original on 2022-08-19. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
^"Rogue:W32/BraveSentry Description". F-Secure Labs. from the original on 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
^"SpyDawn - Adware and PUAs". sophos.com. from the original on 2021-08-28. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
^"Spyware tunnels in on Winamp flaw". Joris Evers, CNET News.com, February 6, 2006. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
^. Suze Turner, ZDNet, December 19, 2005. Archived from the original on 19 January 2006. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
^. Sunbelt Security. Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
^. Symantec. Archived from the original on 6 August 2011. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
^Vincentas (18 October 2012). . Spyware Loop. Archived from the original on 2016-01-18. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
^ ab. CA. Archived from the original on April 5, 2007. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
External linksedit
at the Wayback Machine (archive index)(note, the online installer does not work due to the payload of the installer being taken down when the website was)
spysheriff, spywarebot, redirects, here, confused, with, spybot, search, destroy, this, article, multiple, issues, please, help, improve, discuss, these, issues, talk, page, learn, when, remove, these, template, messages, this, article, needs, additional, cita. SpywareBot redirects here Not to be confused with Spybot Search amp Destroy This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources SpySheriff news newspapers books scholar JSTOR August 2023 Learn how and when to remove this template message This article possibly contains original research Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations Statements consisting only of original research should be removed December 2021 Learn how and when to remove this template message Learn how and when to remove this template message SpySheriff a is malware that disguises itself as anti spyware software It attempts to mislead the user with false security alerts threatening them into buying the program 4 Like other rogue antiviruses after producing a list of false threats it prompts the user to pay to remove them The software is particularly difficult to remove 5 self published source since it nests its components in System Restore folders and also blocks some system management tools However SpySheriff can be removed by an experienced user antivirus software or by using a rescue disk SpySheriffSpySheriff interfaceCommon nameSpySheriffTechnical nameSpySheriff Variant Adware SpySheriff Symantec Rogue W32 SpySheriff F Secure Adware SpySheriff Letter Fortiguard 1 Adware SpySheriff McAfee ADW SPYSHERIFF Letter Trend Micro DOWNLOADER SPYSHERIFF Trend Micro FREELOADER SPYSHERIFF Trend Micro BraveSentry Variant Rogue W32 BraveSentry F Secure 2 VBS SENTRY Letter Trend Micro ADW BRAVESEN Letter Trend Micro Pest Trap Variant ADW PESTTRAP Letter Trend Micro AliasesSpyDawn Variant FraudTool Win32 SpyHeal a Sophos 3 Alpha Cleaner Variant Program Win32 AlfaCleaner Microsoft SpyBouncer Variant Trojan Win32 Spybouncer Microsoft TypeMalwareSubtypeRogue SoftwareAuthor s Innovagest 2000Operating system s affectedWindowsDiscontinued2008 Contents 1 Websites 2 Features of a SpySheriff infection 3 See also 4 Notes 5 References 6 External linksWebsites editSpySheriff was hosted at both www spysheriff com and www spy sheriff com 6 self published source which operated from 2005 until their shutdown in 2008 citation needed Both domains are now parked Several other similarly named websites also hosted the program but have all been shut down Features of a SpySheriff infection edit nbsp A fake infection warning pop upSpySheriff is designed to behave like genuine antispyware software Its user interface features a progress bar and counts allegedly found threats but its scan results are deliberately false with cryptic names such as Trojan VX to mislead and scare the user 7 8 Removal attempts may be unsuccessful and SpySheriff may reinstall itself citation needed The desktop background may be replaced with an image resembling a Blue Screen of Death or a notice reading SPYWARE INFECTION Your system is infected with spyware Windows recommends that you use a spyware removal tool to prevent loss of data Using this PC before having it cleaned of spyware threats is highly discouraged citation needed Attempts to remove SpySheriff via Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel either fails or causes the computer to restart unexpectedly 9 Attempts to connect to the Internet in any Web browser is blocked by SpySheriff Spy Sheriff com becomes the only accessible website and can be opened through the program s control panel citation needed Attempts to remove SpySheriff via System Restore are blocked as it prevents the calendar and restore points from loading Users can overcome this by undoing the previous restore operation after which the system will restore itself allowing for easier removal of SpySheriff 9 SpySheriff can detect certain antispyware and antivirus programs running on the machine and disable them by ending their processes as soon as it detects them This may prevent its detection and removal by legitimate antivirus programs citation needed SpySheriff can disable Task Manager and Registry Editor preventing the user from ending its active process or removing its registry entries from Windows Renaming the regedit and taskmgr executables will solve this problem citation needed See also editRogue security software Trojan horse computing Notes edit Also known by numerous other names including BraveSentry Pest Trap SpyTrooper Adware Sheriff SpywareNo SpyLocked SpywareQuake SpyDawn AntiVirGear SpyDemolisher System Security SpywareStrike SpyShredder Alpha Cleaner SpyMarshal Adware Alert Malware Stopper Mr Antispy Spycrush SpyAxe MalwareAlarm VirusBurst VirusBursters DIARemover AntiVirus Gold Antivirus Golden SpyFalcon and TheSpyBot SpywareBot The name SpywareBot is used to confuse them with the legitimate SpyBot anti spyware software References edit Fortiguard 2005 09 21 Archived from the original on 2022 08 19 Retrieved 2023 08 17 Rogue W32 BraveSentry Description F Secure Labs Archived from the original on 2023 05 21 Retrieved 2023 08 17 SpyDawn Adware and PUAs sophos com Archived from the original on 2021 08 28 Retrieved 2023 08 17 Spyware tunnels in on Winamp flaw Joris Evers CNET News com February 6 2006 Retrieved 2009 11 01 Top 10 rogue anti spyware Suze Turner ZDNet December 19 2005 Archived from the original on 19 January 2006 Retrieved 2009 11 01 SunBelt Security Blog Sunbelt Security Archived from the original on 2012 03 08 Retrieved 2009 11 01 SpySheriff Technical Details Symantec Archived from the original on 6 August 2011 Retrieved 2009 11 01 Vincentas 18 October 2012 spysheriff exe in SpyWareLoop com Spyware Loop Archived from the original on 2016 01 18 Retrieved 27 July 2013 a b SpySheriff CA CA Archived from the original on April 5 2007 Retrieved 2009 11 01 External links editSpy Sheriff Website at the Wayback Machine archive index note the online installer does not work due to the payload of the installer being taken down when the website was Spy Sheriff Alternate Website at the Wayback Machine archive index http www bleepingcomputer com forums topic22402 html Encyclopedia entry Program Win32 SpySheriff at the Wayback Machine archived 2012 04 01 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title SpySheriff amp oldid 1210903496, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
