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[Metallica]

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is Security Guard?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Security Guard 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 Security Guard?

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 Security Guard get on my computer?

Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one uses fake online scanners.

How do I remove Security Guard?

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 full 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 Security Guard?

• The rogue replaces your hosts file, so you may have to restore the old one. You can find third-party hosts file alternatives at hpHosts or at mvps.org or you can simply reset the default hosts file as outlined here by Microsoft.

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 Security Guard 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:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\c07b4bc\SGc07b.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Security Guard] "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\c07b4bc\SGc07b.exe" /s /d

Note: the folder and filename are partly random, but the filename should start with SG

Alterations made by the installer:

File System
  ===============
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\c07b4bc
	  Adds the file SGD.ico"="17:47 20/03/10 4286 bytes
	  Adds the file SGc07b.exe"="17:47 20/03/10 2328576 bytes
	  Adds the file 678.mof"="17:47 20/03/10 326 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\c07b4bc\SGDSys
	  Adds the file vd952342.bd"="17:47 20/03/10 12322 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\c07b4bc\Quarantine Items
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\SGDCZWD
	  Adds the file SGDCZWD.cfg"="17:50 20/03/10 16925 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Security Guard
	  Adds the file Instructions.ini"="17:48 20/03/10 1265 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
	  Adds the file Security Guard.lnk"="17:47 20/03/10 1795 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop
	  Adds the file Security Guard.lnk"="17:47 20/03/10 1777 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu
	  Adds the file Security Guard.lnk"="17:47 20/03/10 1777 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs
	  Adds the file Security Guard.lnk"="17:47 20/03/10 1783 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc
	  Alters the file hosts
		13:00 28/02/06 734 bytes ==> 17:48 20/03/10 2690 bytes

  Registry
  ===============
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SGc07b.DocHostUIHandler]
	  "(Default)"="'Implements DocHostUIHandler'"
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SGc07b.DocHostUIHandler\Clsid]
	  "(Default)"="'{3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF}'"
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF}]
	  "(Default)"="'Implements DocHostUIHandler'"
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF}\ProgID]
	  "(Default)"="'SGc07b.DocHostUIHandler'"
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF}\LocalServer32]
	  "(Default)"="'C:\DOCUME~1\ALLUSE~1\APPLIC~1\c07b4bc\SGc07b.exe'"
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes]
	  "URL"="'http://findgala.com/?&uid=1002&q={searchTerms}'"
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options]
	  "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
<snipped long list of Image File Execution options that get hijacked>
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\install.exe]
	  "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy
\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List]
	  "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\c07b4bc\SGc07b.exe"=
"'C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\c07b4bc\SGc07b.exe:*:Enabled:Security Guard'"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes]
	  "URL"="'http://findgala.com/?&uid=1002&q={searchTerms}'"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer]
	  "BID"="0"
	  "IIL"="0"
	  "ltHI"="0"
	  "ltTST"="60453"
	  "PRS"="'http://127.0.0.1:27777/?inj=%ORIGINAL%'"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\BrowserEmulation]
	  "MSCompatibilityMode"="0"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes]
	  "URL"="'http://findgala.com/?&uid=1002&q={searchTerms}'"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Download]
	  "RunInvalidSignatures"="1"
	  "CheckExeSignatures"="'no'"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\5.0\User Agent\Post Platform]
	  "feed/7.1.01002"=""
	  "97990738903"=""
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
	  "Shell"="'"C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\c07b4bc\SGc07b.exe" /s /d'"

Note: The CLSID {3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF} was used in a popular coding example, so could also be in use by legitimate applications.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.44
Database version: 3888
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.2180

3/20/2010 5:58:39 PM
mbam-log-2010-03-20 (17-58-38).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 105875
Time elapsed: 2 minute(s), 47 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 758
Registry Values Infected: 16
Registry Data Items Infected: 8
Folders Infected: 1
Files Infected: 6

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\brastk.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
<snipped long list of IFEO hijacks that were removed>
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msfwsvc.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\security guard (Rogue.SecurityGuard) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\taskmgr.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\Arrakis3.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdagent.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdreinit.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdsubwiz.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdtkexec.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdwizreg.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\livesrv.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\uiscan.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\upgrepl.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\vsserv.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\seccenter.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\egui.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\ekrn.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\install.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Infected:
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=1002&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-18\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=1002&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-19\SOFTWARE\Classes\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=1002&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-19\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=1002&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20\SOFTWARE\Classes\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=1002&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=1002&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=1002&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=1002&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Folders Infected:
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Security Guard (Rogue.SecurityGuard) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Files Infected:
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\18GY3K5D\xp_ee855[1].exe (Malware.Packer.Gen) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Security Guard\Instructions.ini (Rogue.SecurityGuard) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\Security Guard.lnk (Rogue.SecurityGuard) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Security Guard.lnk (Rogue.SecurityGuard) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Security Guard.lnk (Rogue.SecurityGuard) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\Security Guard.lnk (Rogue.SecurityGuard) -> 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.