SoftBarrier – A Threat to Online Security

According to security researchers, SoftBarrier, the latest development of the hackers from Winisoft, also known as WiniGuard, appears to be one of the biggest roguewares in the Internet world, as reported by WindowsXP/VistaBlog on October 28, 2009.

Reportedly, Winisoft is the creator of rogueware family. Experts told that like most fake anti-spyware application, SoftBarrier enters the system through different Trojans. It promptly sneaks into the user's system and configure Windows Registry. To sell its purported "licensed version", SoftBarrier banks on misleading advertising.

Once it enters the system, SoftBarrier floods it with fake notifications and pop-ups, so as to inform the user about any infection present in the system. This information is not true, it just urge the users to download SoftBarrier to dispose-off the so-called threats.

SoftBarrier, like other rogues, performs fake scans that highlight risk-free files as threats. Experts commented that after the scanning process is completed it recommends the user to purchase its expensive full version to remove the detected threats, which doesn't work.

Security experts also told that softbarrier.com is the own website of SoftBarrier. During their research, the "download" link didn't show results; however, it does not necessarily mean that it would not work in future as well. Therefore, the experts strongly recommended that users must not try to click on the provided malicious link and also to avoid visiting the aforesaid website.

As per the information regarding softbarrier.com given by whois.com, the registrant is Gilbert M Sebastien located in Marceau, Issy-les-Moulineaux. However, on considering the IP address of the website, i.e. 83.233.30.66, it was learnt that Sweden is where the malware actually originated. This difference in the result clearly indicates that in order to stay unidentified and successfully accomplish their malicious activities, cyber criminals are doing their best.

Security experts, in the concluding statement, said that the creators of this rogueware group will definitely not stop attacking unaware, innocent users with their rogue anti-virus and anti-spyware applications. However, users are highly recommended to avoid falling into their traps. Users must never install the application; rather remove it even if the virus has entered the system.

» SPAMfighter News - 11/11/2009