Recognition

• Internet Antivirus Pro and its counterparts will display a false “Windows Security Alert” on your computer screen and/or in your Windows taskbar. In many cases it looks like the program is running a real virus scan, but it’s actually identifying false threats. To view screenshot examples, visit Microsoft's Win32/InternetAntivirus page (see Resources).
  
  

Aliases

• Internet Antivirus Pro is also known as “Personal Antivirus” and “General Antivirus.” The program shows different product names and/or logos to masquerade as real software, and it’s constantly evolving, so it can infect your PC under any number of different names.
  
  

How It Works

• The program can be attached to an auto executable file (.exe file) with a name like "install.exe." It can also be bundled with another installer or accidentally downloaded through a vulnerable website. Once downloaded, Internet Antivirus Pro installs itself invisibly in the background. After installation is complete, it creates a new entry for itself in the Windows registry every time Windows boots up so the program continuously restarts.
  
  

Prevention

• Microsoft recommends that you use a firewall while surfing the web and keep your Windows updates current. You can also prevent Internet Antivirus Pro infections by keeping up-to-date antivirus software on your computer such as Windows Defender or Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
  
  

Warning

• Because virus definitions are always changing, it’s best to use more than one antivirus software. There are links to programs provided in the Resources section of this article that are recommended for virus prevention and removal.