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[Metallica]

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is APcSafe?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that APcSafe 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 APcSafe?

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 APcSafe get on my computer?

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

How do I remove APcSafe?

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 APcSafe?

• No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes APcSafe 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 APcSafe 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\APcSafe Software\APcSafe\APcSafe.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [APcSafe] C:\Program Files\APcSafe Software\APcSafe\APcSafe.exe -min

Alterations made by the installer:

File System
  ===============
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop
	  Adds the file APcSafe.lnk"="12:06 24/01/10 831 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\APcSafe
	  Adds the file 3 Uninstall.lnk"="12:06 24/01/10 1755 bytes
	  Adds the file 2 Homepage.lnk"="12:06 24/01/10 1140 bytes
	  Adds the file 1 APcSafe.lnk"="12:06 24/01/10 1739 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp\nsd5.tmp
	  Adds the file nsProcess.dll"="12:06 24/01/10 4096 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Program Files\APcSafe Software\APcSafe
	  Adds the file uninstall.exe"="12:06 24/01/10 79013 bytes
	  Adds the file main_config.xml"="12:09 24/01/10 1842 bytes
	  Adds the file APcSafe.exe"="12:06 24/01/10 1635328 bytes

  Registry
  ===============
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APcSafe]
	  "Install_Dir"="'C:\Program Files\APcSafe Software\APcSafe'"
	  "Lang"="'English'"
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
	  "APcSafe"="'C:\Program Files\APcSafe Software\APcSafe\APcSafe.exe -min'"
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\APcSafe]
	  "NoRepair"="1"
	  "NoModify"="1"
	  "UninstallString"="'"C:\Program Files\APcSafe Software\APcSafe\uninstall.exe"'"
	  "DisplayName"="'APcSafe'"
	 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\APcSafe]
	  "AgentsSettings"="1"
	  "CurrentVersion"="'771eb5b6f272744584a5567cff88f8a779469a9e4f9a2689594724a8ac3e908ea1fcd7d24c0d
48ccc20f94a21941a7762a9d6cecf90ee92d047872534c6b54b80a9a021da8c1f8bfda2d2a7fd421
e
e3ac19800793c3a0e95532a28e2f691479f80a84f144cd5895e72158726004ae0c5'"

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.44
Database version: 3624
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.2180

1/24/2010 12:19:32 PM
mbam-log-2010-01-24 (12-19-32).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 97269
Time elapsed: 2 minute(s), 27 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 1
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 3
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 3
Files Infected: 7

Memory Processes Infected:
C:\Program Files\APcSafe Software\APcSafe\APcSafe.exe (Rogue.Multiple) -> Unloaded process successfully.

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\APcSafe (Rogue.APcSafe) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APcSafe (Rogue.APcSafe) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\APcSafe (Rogue.APcSafe) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\APcSafe (Rogue.APcSafe) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\APcSafe Software (Rogue.APcSafe) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\APcSafe Software\APcSafe (Rogue.APcSafe) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Files Infected:
C:\Program Files\APcSafe Software\APcSafe\APcSafe.exe (Rogue.Multiple) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\APcSafe\1 APcSafe.lnk (Rogue.APcSafe) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\APcSafe\2 Homepage.lnk (Rogue.APcSafe) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\APcSafe\3 Uninstall.lnk (Rogue.APcSafe) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\APcSafe Software\APcSafe\main_config.xml (Rogue.APcSafe) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\APcSafe Software\APcSafe\uninstall.exe (Rogue.APcSafe) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\APcSafe.lnk (Rogue.APcSafe) -> 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.