What is Security Central?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Security Central 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 Central?
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 Central get on my computer?
Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one can be found on compromised websites.
How do I remove Security Central?
Our program Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware can detect and remove this rogue application.
- Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from here
If you are unable to do this from the infected computer directly, transfer the file from another computer. - Download the mbam-setup.exe to your desktop.
- Now make sure extensions are shown. To do this, please look here
- Then rename the mbam-setup.exe:
to explorer.exe: 
- Then launch explorer.exe in order to install Malwarebytes' Anti-malware
- Once Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is installed, navigate to your Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware folder and locate the mbam.exe in there:
rename it to iexplore.exe:
- Now doubleclick iexplore.exe to launch Malwarebytes' Anti-malware.
- Click the "Update" tab and click the "Check For updates" button.
- Once the program has loaded and updates were downloaded, select "Perform Quick Scan", then click Scan.
- The scan may take some time to finish,so please be patient.
- When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
- Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
- When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart, so please allow MBAM to restart.
- The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of Security Central?
- No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Security Central 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 Security Central rogue. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.
Signs in a HijackThis log:
C:\Program Files\Security Central\Security Central.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Security Central] C:\Program Files\Security Central\Security Central.exe
Alterations made by the installer:
File System
===============
In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
Adds the file Security Central.lnk"="14:04 05/04/10 798 bytes
In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop
Adds the file Security Central.lnk"="14:04 05/04/10 814 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Security Central
Adds the file Security Central.lnk"="14:04 05/04/10 820 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Program Files\Security Central
Adds the file Security Central.exe"="14:04 05/04/10 929792 bytes
Registry
===============
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"Security Central"="'C:\Program Files\Security Central\Security Central.exe'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\2A946146370A2D7C977F57A02F760181]
"Q`ui"="'B;]Qsnfs`l!Ghmdr]Rdbtshux!Bdous`m]Rdbtshux!Bdous`m/dyd'"
"O`ld"="'Rdbtshux!Bdous`m'"
"FRun"="'0'"Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.45
www.malwarebytes.org
Database version: 3955
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.2180
4/5/2010 2:13:21 PM
mbam-log-2010-04-05 (14-13-21).txt
Scan type: Quick scan
Objects scanned: 95827
Time elapsed: 2 minute(s), 12 second(s)
Memory Processes Infected: 1
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 1
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 2
Files Infected: 5
Memory Processes Infected:
C:\Program Files\Security Central\Security Central.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Unloaded process successfully.
Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\security central (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Folders Infected:
C:\Program Files\Security Central (Rogue.SecurityCentral) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Security Central (Rogue.SecurityCentral) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
Files Infected:
C:\Program Files\Security Central\Security Central.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\internet5.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Security Central\Security Central.lnk (Rogue.SecurityCentral) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\Security Central.LNK (Rogue.SecurityCentral) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Security Central.LNK (Rogue.SecurityCentral) -> 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
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