What is Wireshark Antivirus?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Wireshark 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.
Please note that this is not made by the same company that produces a well-known network protocol analyzer. Wireshark is a legitimate company and this is an impersonation of that name.
How do I know if I am infected with Wireshark 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 Wireshark Antivirus get on my computer?
Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one posed as a flash player.
How do I remove Wireshark Antivirus?
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 mbam-setup.com: 
Then launch mbam-setup.com 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 mbam.com:
Now doubleclick mbam.com 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.
You will be prompted to reboot the computer. Once this has been done, please rename mbam.com back to mbam.exe.
You'll see that it will be able to run again.
Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of Wireshark Antivirus?
- No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Wireshark 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 Wireshark 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.
Signs in a HijackThis log:
C:\Program Files\Wireshark Antivirus\Wireshark Antivirus.exe
C:\Program Files\svchost.exe
O2 - BHO: ADC PlugIn - {149256D5-E103-4523-BB43-2CFB066839D6} - C:\Program Files\adc_w32.dll
O23 - Service: Adobe Update Service (AdbUpd) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\svchost.exe
Alterations made by the installer:
File System
===============
In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop
Adds the file Wireshark Antivirus.lnk"="12:26 07/08/10 1684 bytes
In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp
Adds the file win1.tmp"="12:26 07/08/10 23 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\Wireshark Antivirus
Adds the file Wireshark Antivirus.lnk"="12:26 07/08/10 1696 bytes
In the existing folder C:\Program Files
Adds the file adc_w32.dll"="12:26 07/08/10 172032 bytes
Adds the file alggui.exe"="12:26 07/08/10 42496 bytes
Adds the file nuar.old"="12:26 07/08/10 9 bytes
Adds the file skynet.dat"="12:26 07/08/10 36 bytes
Adds the file svchost.exe"="12:26 07/08/10 25600 bytes
Adds the file wp3.dat"="12:32 07/08/10 3 bytes
Adds the file wp4.dat"="12:32 07/08/10 60 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Program Files\scdata
Adds the file wispex.html"="12:30 04/08/10 9321 bytes
Adds the file dbsinit.exe"="12:30 07/08/10 151093 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Program Files\scdata\images
Adds the file wt3.gif"="14:57 21/11/08 119 bytes
Adds the file wt2.gif"="14:57 21/11/08 51 bytes
Adds the file wt1.gif"="14:57 21/11/08 176 bytes
Adds the file word.doc"="13:19 09/10/09 27136 bytes
Adds the file w3.jpg"="16:34 27/11/08 1912 bytes
Adds the file w2.gif"="14:56 21/11/08 47 bytes
Adds the file w11.gif"="15:08 21/11/08 3431 bytes
Adds the file w1.gif"="14:56 21/11/08 3028 bytes
Adds the file up2.gif"="14:29 21/11/08 696 bytes
Adds the file up1.gif"="14:28 21/11/08 5568 bytes
Adds the file Thumbs.db"="14:02 19/10/09 36864 bytes
Adds the file t2.gif"="15:17 21/11/08 1015 bytes
Adds the file t1.gif"="14:47 21/11/08 621 bytes
Adds the file pix.gif"="15:44 21/11/08 70 bytes
Adds the file l3.gif"="14:40 21/11/08 468 bytes
Adds the file l2.gif"="14:39 21/11/08 92 bytes
Adds the file l1.gif"="14:39 21/11/08 3749 bytes
Adds the file jj3.gif"="15:40 21/11/08 105 bytes
Adds the file jj2.gif"="15:14 21/11/08 48 bytes
Adds the file jj1.gif"="15:14 21/11/08 114 bytes
Adds the file j3.gif"="16:33 27/11/08 3857 bytes
Adds the file j2.gif"="15:12 21/11/08 47 bytes
Adds the file j1.gif"="15:12 21/11/08 3957 bytes
Adds the file i3.gif"="15:17 21/11/08 1689 bytes
Adds the file i2.gif"="15:17 21/11/08 1663 bytes
Adds the file i1.gif"="15:17 21/11/08 1744 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Program Files\Wireshark Antivirus
Adds the file Wireshark Antivirus.exe"="00:07 06/08/10 878592 bytes
Registry
===============
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{149256D5-E103-4523-BB43-2CFB066839D6}]
"(Default)"="'ADC PlugIn'"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{149256D5-E103-4523-BB43-2CFB066839D6}\InprocServer32]
"ThreadingModel"="'Apartment'"
"(Default)"="'C:\Program Files\adc_w32.dll'"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command]
"(Default)"="'C:\Program Files\alggui.exe "%1" %*'"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{149256D5-E103-4523-BB43-2CFB066839D6}]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root\LEGACY_ADBUPD]
"NextInstance"="1"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root\LEGACY_ADBUPD\0000]
"DeviceDesc"="'Adobe Update Service'"
"ClassGUID"="'{8ECC055D-047F-11D1-A537-0000F8753ED1}'"
"Class"="'LegacyDriver'"
"ConfigFlags"="0"
"Legacy"="1"
"Service"="'AdbUpd'"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root\LEGACY_ADBUPD\0000\Control]
"ActiveService"="'AdbUpd'"
"*NewlyCreated*"="0"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\AdbUpd]
"ObjectName"="'LocalSystem'"
"DisplayName"="'Adobe Update Service'"
"ImagePath"="C:\Program Files\svchost.exe."
"ErrorControl"="1"
"Start"="2"
"Type"="16"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\AdbUpd\Enum]
"NextInstance"="1"
"Count"="1"
"0"="'Root\LEGACY_ADBUPD\0000'"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\AdbUpd\Security]
"Security"="................0.................................` ...#..........................."
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Wireshark Antivirus\Wireshark Antivirus\setdata]
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.46
www.malwarebytes.org
Database version: 4402
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.5512
8/7/2010 12:54:34 PM
mbam-log-2010-08-07 (12-54-34).txt
Scan type: Quick scan
Objects scanned: 118111
Time elapsed: 3 minute(s), 46 second(s)
Memory Processes Infected: 2
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 6
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 1
Folders Infected: 4
Files Infected: 40
Memory Processes Infected:
C:\Program Files\Wireshark Antivirus\Wireshark Antivirus.exe (Rogue.Installer) -> Unloaded process successfully.
C:\Program Files\svchost.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Unloaded process successfully.
Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\adbupd (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{149256d5-e103-4523-bb43-2cfb066839d6} (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{149256d5-e103-4523-bb43-2cfb066839d6} (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{149256d5-e103-4523-bb43-2cfb066839d6} (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Wireshark Antivirus (Rogue.WiresharkAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root\LEGACY_ADBUPD (Trojan.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Data Items Infected:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command\(default) (Broken.OpenCommand) -> Bad: (C:\Program Files\alggui.exe "%1" %*) Good: ("%1" %*) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
Folders Infected:
C:\Program Files\scdata (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\Wireshark Antivirus (Rogue.WiresharkAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Wireshark Antivirus (Rogue.WiresharkAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
Files Infected:
C:\Program Files\Wireshark Antivirus\Wireshark Antivirus.exe (Rogue.Installer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\svchost.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adc_w32.dll (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\Wireshark Antivirus.exe (Rogue.Installer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\wpp.exe (Rogue.Installer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\dbsinit.exe (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\wispex.html (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\i1.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\i2.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\i3.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\j1.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\j2.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\j3.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\jj1.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\jj2.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\jj3.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\l1.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\l2.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\l3.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\pix.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\t1.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\t2.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\Thumbs.db (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\up1.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\up2.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\w1.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\w11.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\w2.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\w3.jpg (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\word.doc (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\wt1.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\wt2.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\scdata\images\wt3.gif (Trojan.Dropper) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\Wireshark Antivirus\Wireshark Antivirus.lnk (Rogue.WiresharkAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\Wireshark Antivirus.LNK (Rogue.WiresharkAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\alggui.exe (Trojan.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\nuar.old (Malware.Trace) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\skynet.dat (Malware.Trace) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\wp3.dat (Malware.Trace) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\wp4.dat (Malware.Trace) -> 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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