Removal instructions for Control center

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is Control center?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Control center 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 Control center?

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 this warning:



How did Control center get on my computer?

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

How do I remove Control center?

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 Control center?

• The shortcut called Control-Center 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 Control center 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:\Documents and Settings\Metallica\Application Data\Control-Center\ccagent.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ccagent.exe] C:\Documents and Settings\Metallica\Application Data\Control-Center\ccagent.exe

Alterations made by the installer:

File System
  ===============
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Control-Center
	  Adds the file uninstall.exe"="20:25 12/02/10 67088 bytes
	  Adds the file settings.ini"="20:26 12/02/10 180 bytes
	  Adds the file ccmain.exe"="12:40 06/02/10 2019840 bytes
	  Adds the file ccagent.exe"="12:39 06/02/10 551424 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Control-Center\faq
	  Adds the file guide.html"="20:42 25/01/10 7890 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Control-Center\faq\images
	  Adds the file 10.png"="20:43 25/01/10 178919 bytes
	  Adds the file 09.png"="20:43 25/01/10 138334 bytes
	  Adds the file 08.png"="20:43 25/01/10 42753 bytes
	  Adds the file 07.png"="20:43 25/01/10 45779 bytes
	  Adds the file 06.png"="20:43 25/01/10 48347 bytes
	  Adds the file 05.png"="20:43 25/01/10 53967 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop
	  Adds the file Control-Center.lnk"="20:25 12/02/10 1020 bytes

  Registry
  ===============
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Control-Center]
	  "NoRepair"="1"
	  "NoModify"="1"
	  "UninstallString"="'C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Control-Center\uninstall.exe'"
	  "DisplayName"="'Control-Center'"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
	  "ccagent.exe"="'C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Control-Center\ccagent.exe'"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
	  "Shell"="'C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Control-Center\ccmain.exe'"

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.44
Database version: 3730
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.2180

2/12/2010 8:35:00 PM
mbam-log-2010-02-12 (20-35-00).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 100538
Time elapsed: 2 minute(s), 6 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 1
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 1
Registry Values Infected: 1
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 3

Memory Processes Infected:
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Control-Center\ccagent.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Unloaded process successfully.

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\control-center (Rogue.ControlCenter) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\ccagent.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Control-Center\ccagent.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\control-center\ccmain.exe (Rogue.ControlCenter) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\control-center\uninstall.exe (Rogue.ControlCenter) -> 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.