How to remove SpySnipe?
What is SpySnipe?
SpySnipe was unleashed upon the unsuspecting world December 18, 2007 and, judging by the number of new anti-spyware programs, you’d think the good guys are winning, right? WRONG! A classic example of "why it is so" is this very program. SpySnipe is a rogue anti-spyware, which means that it masquerades as a spyware removal program, but is actually a simple scam, much like any other. SpySnipe seems to be a clone of SunshineSpy, which is also a rogue anti-spyware program.
SpySnipe must be downloaded and installed manually in order for it to be functional. Once active, the program allows you to scan the system for spyware. This scan produces a highly exaggerated and downright scary report in hopes that you will buy the full version which is supposedly needed to remove the threats. This "full version" is, of course, as fake as the trial.
SpySnipe has a relatively OK homepage, not nearly as full of grammar mistakes as most of these websites are. Having said that, it is still obvious that SpySnipe is a scam. There is no contact information – do the makers of this GREAT program choose to remain anonymous? Indeed, but for other, less noble reasons. I’ve seen these same testimonials somewhere else already, I think it may have been SunshineSpy, but that’s beside the point: released yesterday, glorious the day after? I highly doubt that one…
SpySnipe is a scam and should be treated as such: do NOT download or buy it, if you have it – remove it and block spysnipe.com using your HOSTS file.
SpySnipe is Extremely dangerous
SpySnipe is a corrupt Anti-Spyware program SpySnipe may spread via Trojans SpySnipe may display fake security messages SpySnipe may install additional spyware to your computer SpySnipe may repair its files, spread or update by itself SpySnipe violates your privacy and compromises your security
Manual SpySnipe removal
Important Note: Although it is possible to manually remove SpySnipe, such activity can permanently damage your system if any mistakes are made in the process, as advanced spyware parasites are able to automatically repair themselves if not completely removed. Thus, manual spyware removal is recommended for experienced users only, such as IT specialists or highly qualified system administrators. For other users, we recommend using automatic spyware removal applications found on 2-viruses.com.
Stop these SpySnipe processes:
Remove these SpySnipe Registry Entries:
Remove these SpySnipe files:
SpySnipe is classified as Rogue Anti-Spyware. After infecting a user’s system, it proceeds to scare its victim into buying the “product” by displaying fake security messages, stating that your computer is infected with spyware and only SpySnipe can help you to remove it after you download the trial version. As soon as the victim downloads SpySnipe trial version, it pretends to scan your computer and shows a grossly exaggerated amount of non-existent errors. Then, SpySnipe offers to buy the full version to fix these false errors. If the user agrees, SpySnipe does not only fix the errors, but it also takes the user’s money and may even install additional spyware into the victim’s computer.
Some Rogue Anti-Spyware, such as SpySnipe, may offer users to buy it after the victim clicks on a banner or a pop-up while surfing the internet. Usually, a Trojan is installed to a victim’s computer after clicking on the advertisement. It then proceeds to download or even install SpySnipe, which is another way for Rogue Anti-Spyware to spread itself.
Most of rogue Anti-Spyware, such as SpySnipe, is nearly impossible to remove manually.
The site I was sent to parodied YouTube with adult content. It asks to install a codec in order to view the content (codec.exe). When I did, it installed and now I get an icon in my notification area w/ a balloon warning or on screen applet warning of system failure, memory full, spyware/adware detected, etc. Here’s the alarming part: I also cannot access Task Manager or regedit to fix the problem. Symantec’s .inf file to fix that problem, doesn’t. Further, I have performed full scans using Norton (NIS 2008), Symantec’s online scanner, and a couple of other downloaded programs (which I’ve since uninstalled), which wouldn’t fix the problem unless I paid for it. All came up w/ nothing. I had saved codec.exe, but deleted it when perhaps I should have submitted it to Symantec or others.
These are the kind of headaches we are facing w. regards to unethical publishers like SpySnipe, and those who allow them to advertise. They must be snuffed oout before the do real damage.