Malware authors are quick to make use of any new opportunity they get for spreading their nefarious software. The launch of Windows 8 is like a black jack for them. Within days of the launch, fake Windows 8 antivirus programs are already on the web, trying to trick Windows 8 users into installing them.

In the past, a number of large-scale malware rings have been foiled by the authorities. But the frequency with which such software hit the web has not dithered, to say the least. On the contrary, the pace with which new malware crop up has only hastened.

This is manifest in the fact that Windows 8 was launched only a few days ago. And we already have a malware pretending to be the official antivirus for the OS. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect for such a malware. Windows 8 is currently sold at a rate of 1 million per day and it will soon be used by users all around the globe.

Thankfully, security firms were quick to spot the new entry in the malware arena. Trend Micro detected the malware which is named ‘TROJ_FAKEAV.EHM’ by the Security System of Windows 8. The malware makes use of a rather old trick: it pretends to give fake scanning results showing security threats and advises the user to download an antivirus program which, in fact, is meant to infect the machine.

According to Trend Micro, “It is typical for cybercriminals to piggyback on the highly-anticipated release of any latest technology to take their malware, spam, malicious app to new heights. To stay safe, users must keep their cool and think twice before clicking links or visiting webpages, especially those that promise the latest items or programs for free. If it’s too good to be true – it probably is.”

So if you are among the early Windows 8 adopters, be sure not to fall for such tricks and to download only the authentic security programs from the official websites of well-known vendors.

Source: Trend Micro

Courtesy: Malware

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