Removal instructions for Paladin Antivirus

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is Paladin Antivirus?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Paladin Antivirus is a fake anti-malware application. These so-called "rogues" use intentional false positives to convince users that their systems have been compromised. Then they try to sell you their software, claiming it will remove these threats. In extreme cases the false threats are actually the very trojans that advertise or even directly install the rogue. You are strongly advised to follow our removal instructions below.

How do I know if I am infected with Paladin Antivirus?

This is how the main screen of the rogue application looks:



You will find these icons on your desktop and in your taskbar:



And see these warnings:











How did Paladin Antivirus get on my computer?

Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one was installed by a trojan.

Extra warning: this rogue tries to remove our program by triggering the uninstaller.



It does not matter what you do with this warning, it will trigger the uninstaller anyway.
Do not click OK in the prompt the uninstaller will display when it is run. Click "No" to stop the uninstall.

How do I remove Paladin Antivirus?

Our program Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware can detect and remove this rogue application.

• Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to your desktop.
• Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
• At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
  
  
  • Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  • Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
• Then click Finish.
• If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
• Once the program has loaded, select Perform quick scan, then click Scan.
• When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
• Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected. Reboot your computer if prompted.
• When completed, a log will open in Notepad. The rogue application should now be gone.

Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of Paladin Antivirus?

• No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Paladin Antivirus completely.

How would the full version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware help protect me?

We hope our application has helped you eradicate this malicious software. If your current security solution let this infection through, you might please consider purchasing the FULL version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware for additional protection.

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware would have protected you against the Paladin Antivirus rogue. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.





Technical details for experts

Signs in a HijackThis log:

C:\Program Files\Paladin Antivirus\pav.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Paladin Antivirus] "C:\Program Files\Paladin Antivirus\pav.exe" -noscan

Alterations made by the installer:

File System
  ===============
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data
	  Adds the file fiosejgfse.dll"="20:54 15/02/10 524 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
	  Adds the file Paladin Antivirus.lnk"="20:52 15/02/10 698 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop
	  Adds the file Paladin Antivirus Support.lnk"="20:52 15/02/10 1590 bytes
	  Adds the file Paladin Antivirus.lnk"="20:52 15/02/10 680 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\Paladin Antivirus
	  Adds the file Uninstall Paladin Antivirus.lnk"="20:52 15/02/10 728 bytes
	  Adds the file Paladin Antivirus.lnk"="20:52 15/02/10 692 bytes
	  Adds the file Paladin Antivirus Support.lnk"="20:52 15/02/10 1602 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Program Files\Paladin Antivirus
	  Adds the file virus.mp3"="20:53 15/02/10 29256 bytes
	  Adds the file uninstall.exe"="20:52 15/02/10 53248 bytes
	  Adds the file splash.mp3"="20:53 15/02/10 75738 bytes
	  Adds the file phook.dll"="20:52 15/02/10 19456 bytes
	  Adds the file pavext.dll"="20:52 15/02/10 37376 bytes
	  Adds the file pav.exe"="20:52 15/02/10 2342912 bytes
	  Adds the file pav.db"="20:52 15/02/10 4964816 bytes
	  Adds the file help.ico"="20:52 15/02/10 15086 bytes

  Registry
  ===============
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\SimpleShlExt]
	  "(Default)"="'{5E2121EE-0300-11D4-8D3B-444553540000}'"
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{5E2121EE-0300-11D4-8D3B-444553540000}]
	  "(Default)"="'SimpleShlExt Class'"
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{5E2121EE-0300-11D4-8D3B-444553540000}\InprocServer32]
	  "ThreadingModel"="'Apartment'"
	  "(Default)"="'C:\PROGRA~1\PALADI~1\pavext.dll'"
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\SimpleShlExt]
	  "(Default)"="'{5E2121EE-0300-11D4-8D3B-444553540000}'"
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Paladin Antivirus]
	  "InfectedFiles"="'C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe,C:\WINDOWS\System32\Drivers\ipinip.sys,C:\WINDOWS\System32\Drivers\usbintel.sys,C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem\rsop.mof,C:\WINDOWS\FaxSetup.log,C:\WINDOWS\Fonts\cga80woa.fon,C:\WINDOWS\Fonts\timesi.ttf,C:\WINDOWS\Help\conf.cnt,C:\WINDOWS\Help\magnify.hlp,C:\WINDOWS\Media\recycle.wav,HKLM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Findbasic Service,'"
	  "dbsignsf"="'62577'"
	  "dbverf"="'1.1'"
	  "dbsigns"="'62577'"
	  "dbver"="'1.1'"
	  "swver"="'3.0'"
	  "Data"="':1860:1970:2080:2190:2300:2410:2520:2630:2740:2960:3070:'"
	  "GUID"="'971949219719032697185732'"
	  "SecStatus_5"="1"
	  "SecStatus_4"="1"
	  "SecStatus_3"="1"
	  "Email"="'[email protected]'"
	  "RV"="1"
	  "Settings_0"="1"
	  "Settings_2"="1"
	  "FD"="0"
	  "License"="'85108357713673677262162845570576027004153211'"
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Approved]
	  "{5E2121EE-0300-11D4-8D3B-444553540000}"="'Paladin Antivirus extension'"
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Paladin Antivirus]
	  "URLInfoAbout"="'http://support.activesecuritys.org'"
	  "UninstallString"="'C:\Program Files\Paladin Antivirus\Uninstall.exe'"
	  "Publisher"="'Paladin Antivirus Software'"
	  "DisplayVersion"="'1.0'"
	  "DisplayName"="'Paladin Antivirus'"
	  "DisplayIcon"="'C:\Program Files\Paladin Antivirus\pav.exe'"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings]
	  "WarnOnZoneCrossing"="0http://support.activesecuritys.org
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
	  "Paladin Antivirus"="'"C:\Program Files\Paladin Antivirus\pav.exe" -noscan'"

Note: {5E2121EE-0300-11D4-8D3B-444553540000} is a CLSID also used by legitimate software (ATI Catalyst).

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.44
Database version: 3742
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.2180

2/15/2010 9:12:11 PM
mbam-log-2010-02-15 (21-12-11).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 101045
Time elapsed: 2 minute(s), 3 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 1
Memory Modules Infected: 1
Registry Keys Infected: 2
Registry Values Infected: 1
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 2
Files Infected: 14

Memory Processes Infected:
C:\Program Files\Paladin Antivirus\pav.exe (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Unloaded process successfully.

Memory Modules Infected:
C:\Program Files\Paladin Antivirus\phook.dll (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Delete on reboot.

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\paladin antivirus (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Paladin Antivirus (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\paladin antivirus (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
C:\Program Files\Paladin Antivirus (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\Paladin Antivirus (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Files Infected:
C:\Program Files\Paladin Antivirus\help.ico (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Paladin Antivirus\pav.db (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Paladin Antivirus\pav.exe (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Paladin Antivirus\pavext.dll (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Paladin Antivirus\phook.dll (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files\Paladin Antivirus\splash.mp3 (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Paladin Antivirus\uninstall.exe (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Paladin Antivirus\virus.mp3 (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\Paladin Antivirus\Paladin Antivirus Support.lnk (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\Paladin Antivirus\Paladin Antivirus.lnk (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\Paladin Antivirus\Uninstall Paladin Antivirus.lnk (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\Paladin Antivirus.lnk (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\Paladin Antivirus Support.lnk (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Paladin Antivirus.lnk (Rogue.PaladinAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware could have protected your computer against this threat.
We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):

• Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
• Malware Execution Prevention

Save yourself the hassle and get protected.