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[Metallica]

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is ZeroClean?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that ZeroClean 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 ZeroClean?

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 ZeroClean get on my computer?

Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one was downloaded from their site.

How do I remove ZeroClean?

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 ZeroClean?

• The shortcut called ZeroClean on the desktop can be deleted if it belonged to the rogue.

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 ZeroClean 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:\Program Files\ZeroClean\zerocux.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ZeroClean] C:\Program Files\ZeroClean\zerocup.exe

Alterations made by the installer:

  File System
  ===============
    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop
      Adds the file ZeroClean.lnk"="10:52 14/10/12 1518 bytes
    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu
      Adds the file ZeroClean.lnk"="10:52 14/10/12 1518 bytes
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files\ZeroClean
      Adds the file zerocux.exe"="10:47 14/10/12 2646016 bytes
      Adds the file zerocup.exe"="10:52 14/10/12 86016 bytes
      Adds the file zerocicon.ico"="10:47 14/10/12 17542 bytes
      Adds the file zeroceye.exe"="10:47 14/10/12 180224 bytes
      Adds the file uninstall.exe"="10:47 14/10/12 86016 bytes
      Adds the file libmysql.dll"="10:48 14/10/12 249856 bytes
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files\ZeroClean\Res
      Adds the file ZCleanRes042.cft"="10:52 14/10/12 51682 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes041.cft"="10:52 14/10/12 127519 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes040.cft"="10:52 14/10/12 29596 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes039.cft"="10:52 14/10/12 31569 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes038.cft"="10:52 14/10/12 22884 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes037.cft"="10:52 14/10/12 34729 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes036.cft"="10:52 14/10/12 28895 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes035.cft"="10:52 14/10/12 29460 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes034.cft"="10:52 14/10/12 29888 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes033.cft"="10:52 14/10/12 30874 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes032.cft"="10:52 14/10/12 31476 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes031.cft"="10:51 14/10/12 20800 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes030.cft"="10:51 14/10/12 28365 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes029.cft"="10:51 14/10/12 26391 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes028.cft"="10:51 14/10/12 19069 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes027.cft"="10:51 14/10/12 19735 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes026.cft"="10:51 14/10/12 27929 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes025.cft"="10:51 14/10/12 26699 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes024.cft"="10:51 14/10/12 28527 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes023.cft"="10:51 14/10/12 11416 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes022.cft"="10:51 14/10/12 3740 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes021.cft"="10:51 14/10/12 17586 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes020.cft"="10:51 14/10/12 8276 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes019.cft"="10:51 14/10/12 33167 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes018.cft"="10:51 14/10/12 165615 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes017.cft"="10:51 14/10/12 230121 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes016.cft"="10:51 14/10/12 209418 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes015.cft"="10:51 14/10/12 207475 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes014.cft"="10:50 14/10/12 167998 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes013.cft"="10:50 14/10/12 232224 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes012.cft"="10:50 14/10/12 232169 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes011.cft"="10:50 14/10/12 203096 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes010.cft"="10:50 14/10/12 246586 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes009.cft"="10:50 14/10/12 197251 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes008.cft"="10:49 14/10/12 241313 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes007.cft"="10:49 14/10/12 233457 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes006.cft"="10:49 14/10/12 177283 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes005.cft"="10:49 14/10/12 247673 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes004.cft"="10:49 14/10/12 249015 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes003.cft"="10:48 14/10/12 259309 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes002.cft"="10:48 14/10/12 223744 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes001.cft"="10:48 14/10/12 253789 bytes
      Adds the file ZCleanRes000.cft"="10:48 14/10/12 246228 bytes


  Registry
  ===============
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\zerocup.exe]
      "(Default)"="'C:\Program Files\ZeroClean\zerocup.exe'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Local AppWizard-Generated Applications\ZeroClean\Settings]
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Local AppWizard-Generated Applications\ZeroClean\Recent File List]
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ZeroClean]
      "Update"="'1'"
      "Inst"="'C:\Program Files\ZeroClean'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ZeroClean\Update]
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ZeroClean\Setup]
      "AutoRun"="'0'"
      "Tray"="'0'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ZeroClean]
      "UninstallString"="'C:\Program Files\ZeroClean\uninstall.exe'"
      "DisplayName"="'ZeroClean'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
      "ZeroClean"="'C:\Program Files\ZeroClean\zerocup.exe'"

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.65.0.1400
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: v2012.10.14.02

Windows XP Service Pack 3 x86 NTFS
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702
{username} :: MBAM-D3E8C91ACC [administrator]

10/14/2012 10:59:29 AM
mbam-log-2012-10-14 (10-59-29).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Scan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUM
Scan options disabled: P2P
Objects scanned: 175062
Time elapsed: 39 second(s)

Memory Processes Detected: 1
C:\Program Files\ZeroClean\zerocux.exe (Trojan.FakeAV.K) -> 1960 -> Delete on reboot.

Memory Modules Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Detected: 1
HKCU\Software\ZeroClean (Rogue.ZeroClean) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Detected: 1
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run|ZeroClean (Trojan.Downloader.K) -> Data: C:\Program Files\ZeroClean\zerocup.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Files Detected: 3
C:\Program Files\ZeroClean\zerocux.exe (Trojan.FakeAV.K) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files\ZeroClean\zerocup.exe (Trojan.Downloader.K) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\ZeroClean_Setup.exe (Rogue.ZeroClean) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

(end)

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.