The second rogue tool of October 10,2007 is called PerformanceOptimizer. Strangely enough it’s not a security tool, which usually is the case with these bogus programs. As the name points out, it is a rogue optimization program. There really is no difference because the function of it is still exactly the same and I don’t mean solving any issues. PerformanceOptimizer doesn’t rely on Trojans or other such things to reach your computer, so it is not technically an infection, but rather a simple scam.
I guess the concept of a performance optimizer is a fairly unusual one, so they could allow themselves to use a name as cliche as that (we don’t see any anti-virus programs called Anti-Virus), whatever the case, this…thing is yet again a self-proclaimed best, but what it really does is allows you to try a free scan, points out non-existing issues and makes you buy the full version to dispose of them, of course, the whole point is, it doesn’t work.
Some of these rogues have advertising programs, PerformanceOptimizer, similarly to another program from today, uses a legitimate-looking design to convince unsuspecting users to buy it instead of the more aggressive, pop-up spewing approach. No matter how hard it tries it still fails to prove its legitimacy. There are yet again a million fake logos, especially in the buying section. There is also the popular tactic of posting user-comments, which congratulate the vendor on making "this wonderful tool, the likes of which have never been seen before", despite the fact that it was released one day before. Yet again we don’t get any information on the makers, other than an email adress (although that sort of IS a sign of relative decency). The funny thing is, this so called optimizer requires Internet Explorer. WHY?! I will not speculate on what the answer is, but one thing is certain: if IE is needed to run a program, that alone is a good enough reason not to use it.
Don’t trust this program and above all, don’t buy it. If you have – remove it and block PerformanceOptimizer.com’s URL in your host files.
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Just what i was looking for! THANKS!
I saw the PerformanceOptimizer ad hijack my browser from an ad displayed on classmates.com. Had rather pesky fake warning messages about my computer having a problem and insisting that it was going to install even as I navigated away from the page. I have no respect for websites that knowingly display ads like this or supposed “software vendors” who need to use this tactic to try to distribute their crap software.
PerformanceOptimizer just grabbed a LiveJournal page suddenly on my Mac, in FireFox! This is the first time I’ve ever encountered any dodgyware – ever. I’m impressed.
It just grabbed me while a reading Christian Science Monitor article using a firefox logo and I had to shut down FF to get rid of it. I too have a Mac..this is a first!
I also ran into this on the CSM site. Running FF3 on OSX.
The popup shows a Win XP window though so it’s really obviously malware but how annoying. It is the first popup I’ve seen like this on a Mac though.
I recieved an error message saying I had serious System thread issues, and needed PreformanceOptimizer. It looked official, but I did a search on it anyhow. Im glad I read this first.