HotbarClicking on a bad ActiveX file can result in installing Hotbar, as can visiting Hotbar.com and clicking on any of its games, videos, sound clips, or tools. In 2006 Zango was fined $3 million by the Federal Trade Commission for having "used unfair and deceptive methods to download adware and obstruct consumers from removing it." Hotbar spyware was thought to possibly be conquered when parent company Zango closed in 2009 after defaulting in over $44 million in loans. But Zango's assets—and Hotbar with them—no w belong to Pinball and are alive and well. |
FakeSysdefFakeSysdef seems friendly enough at first, scanning systems for hardware issues and alerting users to them. But the issues are nonexistent and downloading the fake fix module it offers is not free. FakeSysdef doesn't take no for an answer either. If a user clicks "cancel" the system will restart repeatedly until the user allows the software to be downloaded. One of the most common ways of getting infected is by performing an image search and opening a malicious results page entry that installs the malware. |
GamevanceGamevance peddles the Designer Imposters of games. Instead of Angry Birds, it has Chick N' Bash, instead of Bejeweled, it has Diamond Jewel. But while wearing U-You instead of Calvin Klein's CK One might just leave your skin vaguely itchy, Gamevance's products can give you a full-on virus. Once a game is downloaded, so is spyware and an application that delivers pop-ups nonstop. Like any spyware, Gamvance collects users' information and tracks their online activity. |
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