How-to remove Spydawn (removal instructions)

SpyDawn is a rogue anti-spyware program. DO NOT purchase Spydawn, remove it! SpyDawn is usually installed on your system without permission, via a trojan. SpyDawn attempts to look like a legitmate malware applications, and will display fake security alerts and/or notifications to trick user to buy the paid version.

Spydawn Screenshot:


Spydawn Removal Instructions:

Step 1:

• Download:
  Use this URL to download the latest version (the file contains both English and French versions):
  http://siri.geekstogo.com/SmitfraudFix.exe
  
  Mirrors: Alternate official download locations for Smitfraudfix.exe
  http://siri.urz.free.fr/Fix/SmitfraudFix.exe
  http://telechargement.zebulon.fr/259-smitfraudfix.html
  
  
• Search:
  • Double-click smitfraudfix.exe
  • Select 1 and hit Enter to create a report of the infected files. The report can be found at the root of the system drive, usually at C:\rapport.txt
• Clean:
  • Reboot your computer in Safe Mode (before the Windows icon appears, tap the F8 key continually)
  • Double-click smitfraudfix.exe
  • Select 2 and hit Enter to delete infect files.
  • You will be prompted: Do you want to clean the registry ? answer Y (yes) and hit Enter in order to remove the Desktop background and clean registry keys associated with the infection.
  • The tool will now check if wininet.dll is infected. You may be prompted to replace the infected file (if found): Replace infected file ? answer Y (yes) and hit Enter to restore a clean file.
  • A reboot may be needed to finish the cleaning process. The report can be found at the root of the system drive, usually at C:\rapport.txt
• Optional:
  • To restore Trusted and Restricted site zone, select 3 and hit Enter.
  • You will be prompted: Restore Trusted Zone ? answer Y (yes) and hit Enter to delete trusted zone.

Note:
process.exe is detected by some antivirus programs (AntiVir, Dr.Web, Kaspersky) as a "RiskTool". It is not a virus, but a program used to stop system processes. Antivirus programs cannot distinguish between "good" and "malicious" use of such programs, therefore they may alert the user.
http://www.beyondlogic.org/consulting/proc...processutil.htm
Optional: Use this step only if your computer still seems infected:

Step 2:

• Reboot your system back into Normal Mode and perform an online scan with Panda ActiveScan

• Once you are on the Panda site click the Scan your PC button.
• A new window will open...click the Check Now button.
  • Enter your Country
  • Enter your State/Province
  • Enter your e-mail address and click send
  • Select either Home User or Company
  • Click the big Scan Now button
• If it wants to install an ActiveX component allow it
• It will start downloading the files it requires for the scan (Note: It may take a couple of minutes)
• When the download is complete, click on Local Disks to start the scan
• When the scan completes, if anything malicious is detected, click the See Report button, then Save Report and save it to a convenient location.
  
  To confirm that Spydawn is removed from your computer

Post the contents of the Panda ActiveScan report, along with a new HijackThis Log, the contents of smitfiles.txt in a new Topic in the Malware Removal Forum

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This is a self-help guide. Use at your own risk.

Important Note: If you need assistance with Spydawn, please start a new topic in our Malware Removal Forum.

This topic has been left open to allow specific questions and comments related ONLY to this guide. It's NOT for posting HJT logs, links to your logs, or any other general malware help. Replies not following these rules will be deleted. Thanks for your cooperation.

This post has been edited by Excal: Mar 5 2008, 08:13 AM