Watch out for Awola
Posted by Rob Longenecker on April 30th, 2008
What is Awola?
Awola is a rogue anti-spyware application that is often downloaded and installed without user knowledge or consent. Awola is often downloaded and installed by a Trojan called Zlob. Once installed, Awola will display a fake security message similar to a Windows notification pops up saying your PC is infected with malware. Awola’s warning message is used to lure you into purchasing, downloading and installing their program to remove the imaginary spyware.
All of a sudden you start getting pop-up windows warning of a trojan horse virus and they just keep coming and coming. Then you get a message that “windows wants you to download a spyware program to remove the problem.” By that time you’re so frustrated by the pop-ups that you may be tempted to buy their “spyware”. DON’T.
Many good spyware programs will remove the problem but the AWOLA spyware program that they’re trying to sell you is bogus and it’s expensive! - $59 for a year’s subscription. It will stop the pop-ups they generated, but it doesn’t remove any other spyware.
Basically, they’re creating the problem and then offering you an expensive solution to fix it. A bogus fix at that. Just Google “Awola” for more information.
By the way, it comes from Latvia in Europe. See their website: http://www.transactenquiry.com/about.php
As a bonus they threaten you if you dispute the charge. Their website says if you dispute the charge, they’ll ruin your credit rating. http://www.transactenquiry.com/disputes.php.
Anyone got a long-range Latvian criminal-seeking missile?
June 13th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Do you have any more information on this? I’ve been asked to track down a charge initiated by this company. Problem is, the person asking me would never put their CC info online without checking with me, so how they got the information and CC # to bill is beyond me.
June 13th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I couldn’t provide any documentation as requested by my bank so my dispute went against me. I have not further info that would help.