I was on the computer playing a game and suddenly at the bottom of the screen a message popped up and it was titled “Zorton Win 8 Antivirus 2014 alert” and it stated my computer is seriously infected. So I clicked on it but it started scanning my computer then it told me I have to pay a full version to fix my computer. I cannot make the payment so I just clicked the x. However, the program won’t go away and keeps running every time I boot up the computer. It is really frustrating so I tried to search solution online. However, it didn’t let me access to my Internet. Is this program real or fake? How do I get rid of it from the computer? I’ve already had Norton 360 and I don’t want any other security tools at all. Please help!!!
Zorton Win 8 Antivirus 2014 is categorized a fake antivirus program as similar as Sirius Win 8 Antivirus 2014 that can install on vulnerable computers without any permission. This rogue program is used to attack Windows 8(8.1) operating system only and it has many variants like Zorton Win 7 Antivirus 2014 and Zorton XP Antivirus 2014 used to target different operating systems. This sneaky virus uses tricky techniques to fool unsuspecting PC users into thinking their computers are infected with malware threats and other security issues and then they offer a fake antivirus that claims to fix all the problems to its victims. Once it is installed, it modifies your system registry entries in order to launch every time you start up the PC and then it shows fake security notifications on your computer everywhere. You will be flooded with fake and deceitful alerts saying the status of your PC is high-risk. It also displays many fabricated threats on its fake scan result. Inexperienced users are very easy to be tricked by this kind of hoax and they could mistakenly pay for the so-called full version as required. However, once the payment is made they will soon realize Zorton Win 8 Antivirus 2014 is nothing but a scam designed to rip them off. Those fake alerts will not disappear even though you have paid for the full version.
Zorton Win 8 Antivirus 2014 malware is downloaded when users open an unknown email, download malicious program or even visit pornographic website. It can show many unpleasant effects on the infected system:
* It disables your current antivirus program and blocks your Internet access by bombarding you constant pop-up alerts.
* It may bring Trojan viruses which could steal your personal data such as login password and bank or credit card details without your knowledge.
* It could lure you into a fraudulent transaction by asking you to activate the so called full version which is non-existent and useless.
* It is able to deactivate most programs installed on your computer and even corrupt system files.
* It can modify your computer settings and slow down your computer performance sharply.
Now rogue antivirus programs are increasingly becoming a big problem for both individual computer users at home and for businesses of all sizes. Considering Zorton Win 8 Antivirus 2014 virus is a bogus anti-spyware application that tries to steal your money without giving you anything good in return, you should ignore all the fake pop-up alerts on your PC and uninstall this program as quickly as possible.
There are so many ways can lead this malware to get inside the computer, but most of the time it is beyond your knowledge.
1> It can be downloaded via malicious drive-by-download scripts from corrupted porn and shareware / freeware websites.
2> It may be installed through spam email attachments, media downloads and social networks.
3> It can get into your system if you have ever clicked some malicious ads or visited some malicious sites, as well as opened unknown downloaded files.
– Slow computer performance and annoying pop-ups always occur
– Taskbar warnings keeps disturbing you
– Strange new icons appear and desktop background is changed somehow
– Internet browsing re-directs and hijacks happen
– System crashes or freezes frequently
– Legit antivirus programs which you have installed before turn to be useless
Zorton Win 8 Antivirus 2014 can install itself in the computer without permission from the computer user. It also can prevent computer user from accessing to other programs in the infected computer. You will realize that you cannot open anything on the computer because it will continue to pop up alerts to block you. Sometimes the Internet connection may get disconnected by the virus. More importantly, the system will be frozen frequently or get blue screen of death. If you pay for this fake antivirus program, you use credit card information may be exposed and collected by computer hackers remotely. This scam virus can be as dangerous as it can be. So we should get rid of it completely as early as possible.
1. Restart the Infected Computer into Safe Mode with Networking
(* Usually the malware will be temporarily disabled in Safe Mode which will provide users a chance to get this problem fixed. If you are still getting the virus popup in safe mode with networking, please try safe mode with command prompt instead.)
For Windows 8
(1). Sign out to get the log-in screen
(2). Keep holding down Shift key then click on the Shut Down icon to select Restart
(3). If you do it right, you will see ‘Choose An Option’ screen. Choose ‘troubleshoot’
(4). Click on ‘Advance Options’
(5). Click on ‘Startup Settings’
(6). Click on ‘Restart’
(7). The system will go through a reboot, please wait till you get the following screen. Choose ‘Enable safe mode with networking’ (or any other option you want to start up the system with)
Then you can get into safe mode with networking in Windows 8 and see a desktop like this
2. Stop the Processes Related to Win 8 Protection 2014 in Windows Task Manager
For Windows 8
(1). Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys together to get Windows Task Manager
(2). Click More details
(3). Then scroll down to end the virus processes
3. Show Hidden Files
(1). Press Win+R to get Run option
(2). Type in Control Panel and hit enter to get Control Panel
(3). Click on Appearance and Personalization
(3). Click on Folder Options
(4). Click on View tab in Folder Options window
(5). Tick Show hidden files, folders, and drives under Hidden files and folders tab
(6). Click Apply to take effect, then click OK at the bottom of the Folder Options window
4. Delete Virus Files
(1). Using Registry Editor to delete or adjust all the related registry entries of Zorton Win 8 Antivirus 2014 virus
*Guides to open Registry Editor:
Press Win+R key together to get the Run box, type in ‘regedit’ then click OK, Registry Editor window will pop up
(2). Find out and remove the associated files of this fake Antivirus
In conclusion:
Zorton Win 8 Antivirus 2014 is a rogue anti-spyware program which uses scare tactics by only showing innocent users fake reports, misleading them to pay for its useless product so as to rip off their money. This rogue program masquerades as genuine security software pretending to help users remove viruses, but actually it has no redeeming features available. Rogue program has no scan engine and viruses database, therefore it can’t really detect any infection on your computer. The virus is able to block your Task Manager and Internet access, in addition, it can hide its presence by injecting malicious processes and system registry, which make the removal process particularly complicated. Hence, in order to secure the stability and normal operation of an infected PC, we suggest users remove this malware manually by deleting all the infected files and registries.
The above manual removal is quite dangerous and complicated, which needs sufficient professional skills. Therefore, only computer users with rich computer knowledge are recommended to implement the process because any errors including deleting important system files and registry entries will crash your computer system. If you have no idea of how to process the manual removal, please contact experts from YooCare Online Tech Support for further assistance.
Published by & last updated on November 20, 2014 5:23 pm
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