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Removal instructions for Windows Work Catalyst

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Metallica

Metallica

    Spyware Veteran

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Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is Windows Work Catalyst?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Windows Work Catalyst 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 Windows Work Catalyst?

This is how the main screen of the rogue application looks:

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You will find this icon in your taskbar:

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And see these warnings:

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How did Windows Work Catalyst get on my computer?

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

How do I remove Windows Work Catalyst?

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: Posted Image to explorer.exe: Posted Image
  • 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:

    Posted Image

    rename it to explorer.exe
  • Now doubleclick explorer.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 Windows Work Catalyst?

  • No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Windows Work Catalyst 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 Windows Work Catalyst rogue. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.


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Technical details for experts

Signs in a HijackThis log:
Running processes:
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\cungrw.exe

Note: the filename is random

Alterations made by the installer:
  File System
  ===============
    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft
      Adds the file cungrw.exe"="11:21 14/05/11 1772544 bytes

  Registry
  ===============
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings]
      "WarnOnHTTPSToHTTPRedirect"="0"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\afwserv.exe]
      "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\avastsvc.exe]
      "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\avastui.exe]
      "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\egui.exe]
      "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\ekrn.exe]
      "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msascui.exe]
      "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msmpeng.exe]
      "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msseces.exe]
      "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SystemRestore]
      "DisableSR"="1"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings]
      "WarnOnHTTPSToHTTPRedirect"="0"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
      "Shell"="'C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\cungrw.exe'"

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.50.1.1100
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 6575

Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702

5/14/2011 11:41:39 AM
mbam-log-2011-05-14 (11-41-39).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Objects scanned: 127777
Time elapsed: 3 minute(s), 49 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 1
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 6
Registry Values Infected: 3
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 2

Memory Processes Infected:
c:\documents and settings\{username}\application data\microsoft\cungrw.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> 1576 -> Unloaded process successfully.

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\afwserv.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\avastsvc.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\avastui.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msascui.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msmpeng.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msseces.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell (Hijack.Shell.Gen) -> Value: Shell -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\egui.exe\Debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Value: Debugger -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\ekrn.exe\Debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Value: Debugger -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
c:\documents and settings\{username}\application data\microsoft\cungrw.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\documents and settings\{username}\Desktop\nqrulb.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> 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.
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