Viruses and more :: Extended threat categories

Dialer (DIALER)

Certain services available in the internet have to be paid for. They are invoiced in Germany via dialers with 0190/0900 numbers (or via 09x0 numbers in Austria and Switzerland; in Germany, the number is set to change to 09x0 in the medium term). Once installed on the computer, these programs guarantee a connection via a suitable premium rate number whose scale of charges can vary widely.

The marketing of online content via your telephone bill is legal and can be of advantage to the user. Genuine dialers leave no room for doubt that they are used deliberately and intentionally by the user. They are only installed on the userÆs computer subject to the userÆs consent, which must be given via a completely unambiguous and clearly visible labeling or request. The dial-up process of genuine dialers is clearly displayed. Moreover, genuine dialers tell you the incurred costs exactly and unmistakably.

Unfortunately there are also dialers which install themselves on computers unnoticed, by dubious means or even with deceptive intent. For example they replace the internet userÆs default data communication link to the ISP (Internet Service Provider) and dial a cost-incurring and often horrendously expensive 0190/0900 number every time a connection is made. The affected user will probably not notice until his next phone bill that an unwanted 0190/0900 dialer program on his computer has dialed a premium rate number with every connection, resulting in dramatically increased costs.

If the option Dialers is enabled with a check mark in the configuration under Extended threat categories, you receive a corresponding alert if a dialer is detected. You can now simply delete the potentially unwanted 0190/0900 dialer. However, if it is a wanted dial-up program, you can declare it an exceptional file and this file is then no longer scanned in future.

Games (GAMES)

There is a place for computer games - but it is not necessarily at work (except perhaps in the lunch hour). Nevertheless, with the wealth of games downloadable from the internet, a fair bit of mine sweeping and Patience playing goes on among company employees and civil servants. Email games are also becoming increasingly widespread, with numerous variants in circulation from simple chess games to "Fleet Manoeuvres" (including torpedo battles). The relevant moves are sent via mail programs to partners who then answer them in turn.

Studies have shown that the number of working hours devoted to computer games has long reached economically significant proportions. It is therefore not surprising that more and more companies are considering ways of banning computer games from workplace computers.

Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic detects computer games. If the Games option is enabled with a check mark in the configuration under Extended threat categories, you receive a corresponding alert if Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic detects a game. The game is now over in the truest sense of the word, because you can simply delete it.

Jokes (JOKES)

Jokes are merely intended to give someone a fright or provide general amusement without causing harm or reproducing. When a joke program is loaded, the computer will usually start at some point to play a tune or display something unusual on the screen. Examples of jokes are the washing machine in the disk drive (DRAIN.COM) or the screen eater (BUGSRES.COM).

But beware! All symptoms of joke programs may also originate from a virus or Trojan. At the very least the user, will get quite a shock or be thrown into such a panic he may do real damage.

Thanks to the extension of its scanning and identification routines, Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic is able to detect joke programs and eliminate them as unwanted programs if required. If the option Jokes is enabled with a check mark in the configuration under Extended threat categories, a corresponding alert is issued if a joke program is detected.

Security Privacy Risk (SPR)

Software that maybe is able to compromise the security of your system, initiate unwanted program activities, damage your privacy or spy out your user behavior and might therefore be unwanted.

Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic detects "Security Privacy Risk" software. If the option Security Privacy Risk is enabled with a check mark in the configuration under Extended threat categories, you receive a corresponding alert if Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic detects such software.

Backdoor Clients (BDC)

In order to steal data or manipulate computers, a backdoor server program is smuggled in unbeknown to the user. This program can be controlled by a third party using backdoor control software (client) via the internet or a network.

Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic detects "backdoor control software". If the option Backdoor Clients is enabled with a check mark in the configuration under Extended threat categories, you receive a corresponding alert if Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic detects such software.

Unusual Runtime Compression Tools (PCK)

Files that have been compressed with an unusual runtime compression tool and that can therefore be classified as possibly suspicious.

Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic detects "Unusual runtime Compression Tools". If the option Unusual runtime Compression Tools is enabled with a check mark in the configuration under Extended threat categories, you receive a corresponding alert if Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic detects such packers.

Double Extension Files (HEUR-DBLEXT)

Executable files that hide their real file extension behind a false one and that can therefore be classified as possibly suspicious.

Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic detects "Double Extension Files". If the option Double Extension files (HEUR-DBLEXT) is enabled with a check mark in the configuration under Extended threat categories, you receive a corresponding alert if Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic detects such files.