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[Metallica]

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is DefendAPC?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that DefendAPC 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 DefendAPC?

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 DefendAPC get on my computer?

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

How do I remove DefendAPC?

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 DefendAPC?

• No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes DefendAPC 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 DefendAPC 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\DefendAPc Software\DefendAPc\DefendAPc.exe

O4 – HKLM\..\Run: [DefendAPc] C:\Program Files\DefendAPc Software\DefendAPc\DefendAPc.exe

Alterations made by the installer:

File System
  ===============
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Desktop
	  Adds the file DefendAPc.lnk"="14:09 16/01/10 782 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\DefendAPc
	  Adds the file 3 Uninstall.lnk"="14:09 16/01/10 1702 bytes
	  Adds the file 2 Homepage.lnk"="14:09 16/01/10 1166 bytes
	  Adds the file 1 DefendAPc.lnk"="14:09 16/01/10 1702 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp
	  Adds the file 0000311c"="14:08 16/01/10 123392 bytes
	  Adds the file l2c515b5.exe"="14:08 16/01/10 1732053 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Program Files\DefendAPc Software\DefendAPc
	  Adds the file uninstall.exe"="14:09 16/01/10 79018 bytes
	  Adds the file DefendAPc.exe"="14:09 16/01/10 1635328 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\prtprocs\w32x86
	  Adds the file 00000d81.tmp"="14:08 16/01/10 123392 bytes

  Registry
  ===============
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\DefendAPc]
	  "Install_Dir"="'C:\Program Files\DefendAPc Software\DefendAPc'"
	  "Lang"="'English'"
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\DefendAPc]
	  "NoRepair"="1"
	  "NoModify"="1"
	  "UninstallString"="'C:\Program Files\DefendAPc Software\DefendAPc\uninstall.exe'"
	  "DisplayName"="'DefendAPc'"

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.44
Database version: 3575
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702

1/16/2010 2:44:07 PM
mbam-log-2010-01-16 (14-44-07).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 130353
Time elapsed: 3 minute(s), 26 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 1
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 3
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 3
Files Infected: 9

Memory Processes Infected:
C:\Program Files\DefendAPc Software\DefendAPc\DefendAPc.exe (Rogue.Multiple) -> Unloaded process successfully.

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DefendAPc (Rogue.DefendAPc) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\DefendAPc (Rogue.DefendAPc) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\DefendAPc (Rogue.DefendAPc) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\DefendAPc (Rogue.DefendAPc) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\DefendAPc Software (Rogue.DefendAPc) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\DefendAPc Software\DefendAPc (Rogue.DefendAPc) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Files Infected:
C:\Program Files\DefendAPc Software\DefendAPc\DefendAPc.exe (Rogue.Multiple) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\Metallica\Local Settings\Temp\0000311c (Rootkit.TDSS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\Metallica\Local Settings\Temp\l2c515b5.exe (Rogue.Installer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\prtprocs\w32x86\00000d81.tmp (Rootkit.TDSS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\DefendAPc\1 DefendAPc.lnk (Rogue.DefendAPc) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\DefendAPc\2 Homepage.lnk (Rogue.DefendAPc) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\DefendAPc\3 Uninstall.lnk (Rogue.DefendAPc) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\DefendAPc Software\DefendAPc\uninstall.exe (Rogue.DefendAPc) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Desktop\DefendAPc.LNK (Rogue.DefendAPc) -> 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.