AV Security Suite is a piece of scareware and malware, or more specifically a piece of rogue security software, which poses as a pre-installed virus scanner on a victim's computer system. It is currently known to affect only Microsoft Windows systems, although it may simply operate under a different name on other platforms to better fit in with their user interfaces, as its disguise is a key component of its success. In the task manager, it appears as a string of a random characters that end with "tssd.exe" – an example is yvyvsggtssd.exe. It also can show a random string of characters that end with "shdw.exe". Methods After being installed on a target system, AV Security Suite sends out simulated virus alerts using pop-up windows that open from the rightmost section of the taskbar. These notifications appear the same as those used by Windows itself, so can look genuine to a user not familiar with Windows' own style of reporting viruses (Windows Defender). AV Security Suite will show the results of a fictitious virus scan, this time using its own name, informing the user that their system is infected by viruses. Using a variety of different messages, some imitating Windows and some under the software's real name, it instructs the user to upgrade to the full version of AV Security Suite to remove the viruses. It then fakes the presence of unspecific viruses by performing actions such as preventing the opening of any programs (including Windows Task Manager) and blocking internet connections. In essence, it renders a system almost useless. Since it is disguised as an anti-virus program, it is not considered to be a virus to any accessible anti-virus or anti-spyware programs. Infection AV Security Suite can infect computers using Adobe Flash or other Adobe components found in regular websites, and so does not require a voluntary download of software by the user. It has also been known to attack using Java software. There are currently no effective tools available to remove it, though some that claim to be able to do so are questionable in authenticity. Very few virus scanners are capable of detecting and removing the program. Norton and AVG Free Edition have been reported not to detect it. The paid edition of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware has detected and removed it while the system is in safe mode, however, a few months later the messages and program had