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[Metallica]

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is PcsSecure?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that PcsSecure 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 PcsSecure?

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 PcsSecure get on my computer?

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

How do I remove PcsSecure?

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 PcsSecure?

• No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes PcsSecure 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 PcsSecure 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:\DOCUME~1\METALL~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\70i8ogam.exe
C:\Program Files\PcsSecure Software\PcsSecure\PcsSecure.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [70i8ogam.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\70i8ogam.exe

Note: 70i8ogam.exe is a random filename

Alterations made by the installer:

File System
  ===============
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Desktop
	  Adds the file PcsSecure.lnk"="09:50 31/01/10 782 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\PcsSecure
	  Adds the file 3 Uninstall.lnk"="09:50 31/01/10 1702 bytes
	  Adds the file 2 Homepage.lnk"="09:50 31/01/10 1166 bytes
	  Adds the file 1 PcsSecure.lnk"="09:50 31/01/10 1702 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp
	  Adds the file 000077c6"="09:49 31/01/10 123392 bytes
	  Adds the file 70i8ogam.exe"="09:50 31/01/10 360960 bytes
	  Adds the file c83n6skb.exe"="09:50 31/01/10 1731864 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp\nss4.tmp
	  Adds the file time.dll"="09:50 31/01/10 10752 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp\nsv6.tmp
	  Adds the file nsProcess.dll"="09:50 31/01/10 4096 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Program Files\PcsSecure Software\PcsSecure
	  Adds the file uninstall.exe"="09:50 31/01/10 79017 bytes
	  Adds the file PcsSecure.exe"="09:50 31/01/10 1632768 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\WINDOWS
	  Adds the file 1006zviru95d.cpl"="07:45 06/12/08 15115 bytes
<snipped long list of randomly named files the application detects as threats>
	  Adds the file ze96backdoor2485.cpl"="02:09 01/01/08 12269 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\WINDOWS\system32
	  Adds the file 1057v9ruz141.dll"="17:27 13/09/08 2713 bytes
<snipped long list of randomly named files the application detects as threats>
	  Adds the file zce5steal24579.bin"="09:50 31/01/10 16841 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\prtprocs\w32x86
	  Adds the file 000079fa.tmp"="09:49 31/01/10 123392 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\WINDOWS\Temp
	  Adds the file 0000041b.sys"="09:50 31/01/10 28800 bytes

  Registry
  ===============
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PcsSecure]
	  "Install_Dir"="'C:\Program Files\PcsSecure Software\PcsSecure'"
	  "Lang"="'English'"
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\PcsSecure]
	  "NoRepair"="1"
	  "NoModify"="1"
	  "UninstallString"="'"C:\Program Files\PcsSecure Software\PcsSecure\uninstall.exe"'"
	  "DisplayName"="'PcsSecure'
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PcsSecure]
	  "AgentsSettings"="1"
	  "CurrentVersion"="'771eb5b6f272744584a5567cff88f8a783a63c86a03a8a2d51a091098868c0c4c153496148ae
6b90ff51463d96bde4ff8132014634128dfd75bd1edc50d83da8f937b7a52678b845d5dc1c4712b78
bcebfc39bb59a3ff1291ddc2226994eeb4028c116322bcd6088f314db8305b97fd7'"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
	  "70i8ogam.exe"="'C:\WINDOWS\system32\70i8ogam.exe'"

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.44
Database version: 3667
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702

1/31/2010 9:42:23 AM
mbam-log-2010-01-31 (09-42-23).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 134950
Time elapsed: 3 minute(s), 39 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 1
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 3
Registry Values Infected: 1
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 3
Files Infected: 11

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

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

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

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\70i8ogam.exe (Rogue.Installer) -> Delete on reboot.

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

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

Files Infected:
C:\Program Files\PcsSecure Software\PcsSecure\PcsSecure.exe (Rogue.Multiple) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\WINDOWS\system32\70i8ogam.exe (Rogue.Installer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp\70i8ogam.exe (Rogue.Installer) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp\0000154c (Trojan.Downloader) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp\c83n6skb.exe (Rogue.Installer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\prtprocs\w32x86\0000009f.tmp (Rootkit.TDSS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\PcsSecure\1 PcsSecure.lnk (Rogue.PcsSecure) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\PcsSecure\2 Homepage.lnk (Rogue.PcsSecure) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\PcsSecure\3 Uninstall.lnk (Rogue.PcsSecure) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\PcsSecure Software\PcsSecure\uninstall.exe (Rogue.PcsSecure) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Desktop\PcsSecure.LNK (Rogue.PcsSecure) -> 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.