Removal instructions for Ghost Antivirus

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is Ghost Antivirus?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Ghost Antivirus 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 Ghost Antivirus?

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 Ghost Antivirus get on my computer?

Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one uses popups on sites that spread the malware.



How do I remove Ghost Antivirus?

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 Ghost Antivirus?

• The rogue intercepts calls to your task manager. You can download Process Explorer. Run it and click "Options" > "Replace Task Manager". Enjoy the added value that Process Explorer has over your standard Task Manager.

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 Ghost Antivirus 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\Ghost Antivirus\GhostAV.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\My Documents\My Music\inatoutin.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Ghost Antivirus] "c:\program files\Ghost Antivirus\GhostAV.exe" /s 
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [3P_UDEC] "C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\malware\GhostAntivirus\GhostAntivirusInstall_33__.exe" 0;C;
O4 - HKCU\..\Policies\Explorer\Run: [inatoutin] "C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\My Documents\My Music\inatoutin.exe"

Note: inatoutin.exe is a randomized name.

Alterations made by the installer:

File System
  ===============
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop
	  Adds the file Ghost Antivirus.lnk"="20:15 14/01/10 690 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Ghost Antivirus
	  Adds the file Uninstall  Ghost Antivirus.lnk"="20:27 14/01/10 1429 bytes
	  Adds the file Purchase License.lnk"="20:27 14/01/10 1596 bytes
	  Adds the file Ghost Antivirus.lnk"="20:27 14/01/10 702 bytes
	  Adds the file Ghost Antivirus Home Page.lnk"="20:27 14/01/10 1604 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Ghost Antivirus
	  Adds the file Uninstall  Ghost Antivirus.lnk"="20:15 14/01/10 1607 bytes
	  Adds the file unins000.exe"="20:22 14/01/10 758618 bytes
	  Adds the file uill.ini"="20:23 14/01/10 47 bytes
	  Adds the file settings.ini"="20:23 14/01/10 156 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Ghost Antivirus\lib
	  Adds the file times.conf"="14:23 29/12/09 748 bytes
	  Adds the file properties"="20:27 14/01/10 1414 bytes
	  Adds the file links.txt"="14:23 29/12/09 1119 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
	  Adds the file Ghost Antivirus.lnk"="20:15 14/01/10 708 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\malware\GhostAntivirus
	  Adds the file Thumbs.db"="20:15 14/01/10 5120 bytes
	  Adds the file update__.exe"="20:15 14/01/10 2490874 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows
	  Adds the file pguard.ini"="20:15 14/01/10 88 bytes
	  Adds the file services.exe"="14:39 10/01/10 196096 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\My Documents\My Music
	  Adds the file inatoutin.exe"="14:39 10/01/10 122880 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus
	  Adds the file working.log"="20:27 14/01/10 52660 bytes
	  Adds the file web.ico"="17:05 24/12/09 16486 bytes
	  Adds the file uninst.ico"="17:05 24/12/09 16486 bytes
	  Adds the file unins000.dat"="20:27 14/01/10 20837 bytes
	  Adds the file register.ico"="17:05 24/12/09 6830 bytes
	  Adds the file iPSh.png"="17:05 24/12/09 3501 bytes
	  Adds the file iMSh.png"="17:05 24/12/09 7005 bytes
	  Adds the file iGSh.png"="17:05 24/12/09 3508 bytes
	  Adds the file GhostAV.exe"="14:39 10/01/10 1608192 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\Languages
	Adds the folder C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\lib
	  Adds the file WMILib.dll"="17:05 24/12/09 415232 bytes
	  Adds the file version.db"="17:49 07/01/10 84 bytes
	  Adds the file times.conf"="14:23 29/12/09 748 bytes
	  Adds the file properties"="14:23 29/12/09 335 bytes
	  Adds the file listing.cfg"="14:39 10/01/10 14251 bytes
	  Adds the file links.txt"="14:23 29/12/09 1119 bytes
	  Adds the file Infected.wav"="14:23 29/12/09 9996 bytes
	  Adds the file ia190908g.db"="14:39 10/01/10 196096 bytes
	  Adds the file ia080618x.db"="14:39 10/01/10 122880 bytes
	  Adds the file ghost.sql"="14:23 29/12/09 2037 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\WINDOWS\system32
	  Adds the file alvgpaird.dll"="20:22 14/01/10 70144 bytes
	  Adds the file oowirck.dll"="20:22 14/01/10 29696 bytes

  Registry
  ===============
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer]
	  "DefaultID"="2"
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center]
	  "AVPath"="'\\.\root\SecurityCenter:AntiVirusProduct.instanceGuid="{58DD34C8-3940-48D1-9287-66C9CE83AE28}"'"
	  "FirstRunDisabled"
		1 ==> 0
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\5.0\User Agent]
	  "URIAPRO[1.1.3.9]"=""
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\User Agent]
	  "URIAPRO[1.1.3.9]"=""
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Ghost Antivirus_is1]
	  "InstallDate"="'20100114'"
	  "NoRepair"="1"
	  "NoModify"="1"
	  "URLUpdateInfo"="'http://ghostantivirus.com/'"
	  "HelpLink"="'http://ghostantivirus.com/'"
	  "URLInfoAbout"="'http://ghostantivirus.com/'"
	  "Publisher"="'Ghost Antivirus (1.1.3.9)'"
	  "DisplayVersion"="'1.1.3.9'"
	  "QuietUninstallString"="'"c:\program files\Ghost Antivirus\unins000.exe" /SILENT'"
	  "UninstallString"="'"c:\program files\Ghost Antivirus\unins000.exe"'"
	  "DisplayIcon"="'c:\program files\Ghost Antivirus\GhostAV.exe'"
	  "DisplayName"="'Ghost Antivirus (1.1.3.9)'"
	  "Inno Setup: Deselected Tasks"="'desktopicon,quicklaunchicon'"
	  "Inno Setup: Selected Tasks"=""
	  "Inno Setup: User"="'{username}'"
	  "Inno Setup: Icon Group"="'Ghost Antivirus'"
	  "InstallLocation"="'c:\program files\Ghost Antivirus\'"
	  "Inno Setup: App Path"="'c:\program files\Ghost Antivirus'"
	  "Inno Setup: Setup Version"="'5.2.3'"
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\taskmgr.exe]
	  "Debugger"="'?'
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
	  "RealLogonType"="1"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer]
	  "DefaultID"="2"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\FTP]
	  "aid"=""
	  "SearchDir"="'C:\program files\Ghost Antivirus\'"
	  "sid"=""
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer]
	  "subscriber"="65782"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences]
	  "AddonTemplatesDir"="'C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\My Documents\My Music\inatoutin.exe'"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Multimedia]
	  "LinesCount"="'C:\WINDOWS\system32\oowirck.dll'"
	  "locale"="'usa'"
	  "num"="3"
	  "pid"="1804"
	  "PluginPath"="'C:\WINDOWS\system32\alvgpaird.dll'"
	  "popup2"="0"
	  "Prl"="'http://ghost-pay.com/?aid=&sid=&dop=dd7908adbbf79ad8d06310cef84db61b'"
	  "prob"="........"
	  "prob1"="80"
	  "prob2"="50"
	  "probRedir"="50"
	  "uid"="'0'"
	  "uniname"="'Ghost Antivirus_is1'"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce]
	  "3P_UDEC"="'"C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\malware\GhostAntivirus\GhostAntivirusInstall_33__.exe" 1;C;'"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run]
	  "inatoutin"="'C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\My Documents\My Music\inatoutin.exe'"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
	  "Ghost Antivirus"="'"C:\program files\Ghost Antivirus\GhostAV.exe" /s '"

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.44
Database version: 3564
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.2180

1/14/2010 8:35:07 PM
mbam-log-2010-01-14 (20-35-07).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 96174
Time elapsed: 4 minute(s), 41 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 1
Memory Modules Infected: 2
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 5
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 5
Files Infected: 37

Memory Processes Infected:
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\My Documents\My Music\inatoutin.exe (Trojan.Vundo) -> Unloaded process successfully.

Memory Modules Infected:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\oowirck.dll (Trojan.Vundo) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\WINDOWS\system32\alvgpaird.dll (Trojan.Vundo) -> Delete on reboot.

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run\inatoutin (Trojan.Vundo) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\ghost antivirus (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\3p_udec (Rogue.AntiVirus2008) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\taskmgr.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\taskmgr.exe\realdebugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Ghost Antivirus (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Ghost Antivirus\lib (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\Languages (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\lib (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Files Infected:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\oowirck.dll (Trojan.Vundo) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\WINDOWS\system32\alvgpaird.dll (Trojan.Vundo) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\My Documents\My Music\inatoutin.exe (Trojan.Vundo) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\TLDHEQ9O\update__[1].exe (Rogue.InternetAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Ghost Antivirus\settings.ini (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Ghost Antivirus\uill.ini (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Ghost Antivirus\unins000.exe (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Ghost Antivirus\Uninstall  Ghost Antivirus.lnk (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Ghost Antivirus\lib\links.txt (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Ghost Antivirus\lib\properties (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Ghost Antivirus\lib\times.conf (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\GhostAV.exe (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\iGSh.png (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\iMSh.png (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\iPSh.png (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\register.ico (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\unins000.dat (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\uninst.ico (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\web.ico (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\working.log (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\lib\ghost.sql (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\lib\ia080618x.db (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\lib\ia190908g.db (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\lib\Infected.wav (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\lib\links.txt (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\lib\listing.cfg (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\lib\properties (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\lib\times.conf (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\lib\version.db (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\Ghost Antivirus\lib\WMILib.dll (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\Ghost Antivirus.lnk (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Ghost Antivirus.lnk (Rogue.GhostAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\pguard.ini (Rogue.InternetAntiVirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\services.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\iGSh.png (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\iMSh.png (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\iPSh.png (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.