Rogue Antivirus Operations Thrive in 2009

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There was no recession in the rogue antivirus industry in 2009.

According to Microsoft, four of the top 11 threats cleaned by its Malicious Software Removal Tool between Dec. 8 and Dec. 16 were tied to rogue antivirus software. Just how much damage the scareware rings behind these types of malware do to users' pocketbooks can only be estimated, but the FBI recently put the figure in excess of $150 million.

Earlier in the year, Symantec reported in a study of rogue antivirus operations that the top 10 sales affiliates for the distribution site TrafficConverter.biz averaged $23,000 per week in earnings during a 12-month period.

"In general, yes, Symantec has seen rogue security software as a malicious threat and money-making opportunity for criminals increase in popularity during the past year, although the number of campaigns may actually be decreasing as scareware vendors consolidate and some of the marginal players are squeezed out," said Marc Fossi, manager of R&D for Symantec Security Response.