What is Microsoft Security Essentials TSS?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Microsoft Security Essentials TSS is a Tech Support Scam. These so-called "Tech Support Scammers" try to trick you into calling their phone number for various reasons, all of which turn out to be fraudulent in the end.
How do I know if my computer is affected by Microsoft Security Essentials TSS?
You will see this screen as soon as the executable is run:
and this prompt:
How did Microsoft Security Essentials TSS get on my computer?
Tech Support Scammers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was installed as part of a bundle.
How do I remove Microsoft Security Essentials TSS?
Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this potentially unwanted application, but due to the nature of the infection this will require a few extra steps.
- When confronted with the lockscreen shown above, click on the "Remote Support" button in the fake BSOD screen.
- This will open an Internet Explorer window inviting you to use remote assistance.
- Minimize this window and you will have access to your desktop.
- You can use taskmanager to use "End Process" for "bsodm.exe" or repeat the procedure above a few times as the blue screen will maximize every now and then.
- Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
- Double-click mbam-setup-{version}.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
- At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to:
Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware - Then click Finish.
- Once the program has loaded, select Scan Now. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
- If an update is available, it will be implemented before the rest of the scanning procedure.
- When the scan is complete, make sure that all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
- Restart your computer when prompted to do so.
- No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Microsoft Security Essentials TSS completely.
We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this hijacker.
As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the Tech Supprt Scam.
Technical details for experts
Note: the location of the executable may be different from case to case.
You may see these entries in FRST logs:
() C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\bsodm.exe (Microsoft Corporation) C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe HKCU\...\Winlogon: [Shell] C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\bsodm.exe [903168 2016-11-17] () <==== ATTENTION HKCU-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\...\Winlogon: [Shell] C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\bsodm.exe [903168 2016-11-17] () <==== ATTENTIONAlterations made by the installer:
Registry details [View: All details] (Selection) ------------------------------------------------ [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon] "Shell"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\bsodm.exe"Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware www.malwarebytes.org Scan Date: 11/17/2016 Scan Time: 11:53 AM Logfile: mbamBSODM.txt Administrator: Yes Version: 2.2.1.1043 Malware Database: v2016.11.17.06 Rootkit Database: v2016.10.31.01 License: Premium Malware Protection: Disabled Malicious Website Protection: Enabled Self-protection: Enabled OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 CPU: x64 File System: NTFS User: {username} Scan Type: Threat Scan Result: Completed Objects Scanned: 301305 Time Elapsed: 9 min, 23 sec Memory: Enabled Startup: Enabled Filesystem: Enabled Archives: Enabled Rootkits: Enabled Heuristics: Enabled PUP: Enabled PUM: Enabled Processes: 1 Trojan.TechSupportScam, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\bsodm.exe, 3728, Delete-on-Reboot, [5703843db5e552e44f259e37e91aba46] Modules: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Keys: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Values: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folders: 0 (No malicious items detected) Files: 1 Trojan.TechSupportScam, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\bsodm.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [5703843db5e552e44f259e37e91aba46], Physical Sectors: 0 (No malicious items detected) (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