spyware antivirus

You may have recently been tricked into downloading a program called Antivirus XP 2008--or else had it download itself for you! Antivirus XP 2008 is a fake anti-virus program--also known as fraudware. Its purpose is to trick people into thinking their computers are infected, and then get them to buy the “upgraded” version of the product.
“Okay,” you're saying to yourself. “Now that I know that, all I have to do is not buy it--right?”
Well...half-right, at least. You also need to consider what other kinds of nasties you may have downloaded with it. After all, anyone who sends fraudware onto the internet, with the intention of tricking people out of their money, probably won't balk at sending out spyware, rootkits, or other malicious programs.
The most obvious danger is that, if you have Antivirus XP 2008 (or XP Antivirus, Vista Antivirus, XP Defender, Antispyware2008, or any of a number of fake anti-spyware/antivirus programs), you might also have spyware on your computer.
Some spyware is used for the “harmless” purpose of monitoring a user's web browsing and serving him or her with advertisements based on websites visited. But spyware can also be used for other, less benign reasons: to monitor when the user visits PayPal or a banking site, for example.
So one thing you've got to watch out for, when you notice Antivirus XP 2008 on your computer, is spyware that could potentially compromise your finances.
Spyware can also be used to steal your personal information, such as your name, address, and the names and social security numbers of your children and other family.
Most people have heard of trojan horses (of which Antivirus XP 2008 is one) and spyware. But another danger you might be facing is that of the rootkit. A rootkit allows someone else to take control of your computer from a remote location!
While most people who install rootkits into other computers won't ever take over that computer entirely, some threats still remain. Rootkits are often used to route illegal activities through someone else's computer. Then, if law enforcement traces the source, the victim’s (i.e. rootkit-ed) computer appears to be where the illegal activities came from!
These are some of the nastier things that can--and very often do--happen to people who've been tricked into downloading spyware, rootkits, or other malicious software. But it's also worth noting that more mundane, but still inconvenient problems remain.
The host/victim computer is likely to be slowed down, often until it is unusable. And even when they remain dormant, these kinds of programs open up your computer to further infection, increasing your chances of something really bad happening down the road.
So as you can see, if you've ever had any sort of fraudware like Antivirus XP 2008, XP Defender, etc. downloaded onto your computer, it's in your best interest to scan with some legitimate antivirus software and make sure your computer is clean!