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[Metallica]

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is PCGuard?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that PCGuard 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 PCGuard?

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



You will find this icon in your taskbar:



And see these warnings:









How did PCGuard get on my computer?

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

How do I remove PCGuard?

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 PCGuard?

• No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes PCGuard 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 PCGuard 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:

Running processes: 
C:\Program Files (x86)\PcGuard\PcGuard.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\PcGuard\PcGuardMtr.exe

Alterations made by the installer:

File system details 
---------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\PcGuard
       Adds the file AddScheduler.exe"="13-7-2013 12:49, 144496 bytes, A
       Adds the file PcGuard.exe"="13-7-2013 12:48, 533104 bytes, A
       Adds the file PcGuardMtr.exe"="13-7-2013 12:48, 203376 bytes, A
       Adds the file PcGuarduck.exe"="13-7-2013 12:48, 258160 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstall.exe"="13-7-2013 12:49, 178800 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\ÇǾ¾°¡µå
       Adds the file ÇǾ¾°¡µå Á¦°Å.lnk"="13-7-2013 12:49, 1813 bytes, A
       Adds the file ÇǾ¾°¡µå.lnk"="13-7-2013 12:49, 1839 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\Tasks
       Adds the file PcGuard"="13-7-2013 12:49, 3432 bytes, A
       Adds the file PcGuard_uninst"="13-7-2013 12:49, 3414 bytes, A
       Adds the file PcGuardA"="13-7-2013 12:49, 3428 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (All)
------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\winwin]
       "name"="REG_SZ, "PcGuard"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PcGuaPt]
       "install"="REG_SZ, "install_check"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\PcGuard]
       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ, "C:\Program Files (x86)\PcGuard\Uninstall.exe"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ, "PcGuard"
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ, "C:\Program Files (x86)\PcGuard\Uninstall.exe"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PcGuard]
       "Environment"="REG_SZ, "01111111111111"
       "InstallDate"="REG_SZ, "20130713"
       "pid"="REG_SZ, "home"
       "UpdateVersion"="REG_SZ, "1.000"
       "Version"="REG_SZ, "1.000"

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.75.0.1300
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: v2013.07.13.03

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 x64 NTFS
Internet Explorer 9.0.8112.16421
{username} :: MBAM7-VM [administrator]

13-7-2013 12:54:24
mbam-log-2013-07-13 (12-54-24).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: 205030
Time elapsed: 1 minute(s), 25 second(s)

Memory Processes Detected: 2
C:\Program Files (x86)\PcGuard\PcGuard.exe (Rogue.PCGuard) -> 2936 -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files (x86)\PcGuard\PcGuardMtr.exe (Rogue.PCGuard) -> 3008 -> Delete on reboot.

Memory Modules Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Detected: 2
HKCU\Software\PcGuard (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\PcGuard (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

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

Folders Detected: 1
C:\Program Files (x86)\PcGuard (Adware.Agent) -> Delete on reboot.

Files Detected: 9
C:\Program Files (x86)\PcGuard\PcGuard.exe (Rogue.PCGuard) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files (x86)\PcGuard\PcGuardMtr.exe (Rogue.PCGuard) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\PcGuard_Setup.exe (Rogue.PCGuard) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Users\{username}\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\I1UU9874\PcGuarduck[1].exe (Rogue.PCGuard) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Users\{username}\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\I1UU9874\PcGuard[1].exe (Rogue.PCGuard) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Users\{username}\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\Z66BD8OV\PcGuardMtr[1].exe (Rogue.PCGuard) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files (x86)\PcGuard\AddScheduler.exe (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files (x86)\PcGuard\PcGuarduck.exe (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files (x86)\PcGuard\Uninstall.exe (Adware.Agent) -> 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.