Removal instructions for User Protection

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is User Protection?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that User Protection 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 User Protection?

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

Posted Image

You will find these icons on your desktop and in your taskbar:

Posted Image

And see these warnings:

Posted Image

How did User Protection get on my computer?

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

Extra warning: this rogue tries to remove our program by triggering the uninstaller.

Posted Image

It does not matter what you do with this warning, it will trigger the uninstaller anyway.
Do not click OK in the prompt the uninstaller will display when it is run. Click "No" to stop the uninstall.

How do I remove User Protection?

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 User Protection?

There have been reports about this variant removing mbam.exe even if you do not allow the uninstaller to run.
Should this happen or if you receive a code 2 error (see screenshot below) during the installation, then please download our random-named replacement and save it in the C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\ folder.
Doubleclick the file to start the program and use the Check for Updates button on the Update tab.
Then follow the instructions above starting with the Quick Scan.

Posted Image

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 User Protection rogue. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

Posted Image

Technical details for experts

Signs in a HijackThis log:

C:\Program Files\User Protection\usrprot.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [User Protection] "C:\Program Files\User Protection\usrprot.exe" -noscan

Alterations made by the installer:

File System
  ===============
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data
	  Adds the file fiosejgfse.dll"="12:34 20/03/10 1048 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
	  Adds the file User Protection.lnk"="12:25 20/03/10 708 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop
	  Adds the file User Protection Support.lnk"="12:25 20/03/10 1596 bytes
	  Adds the file User Protection.lnk"="12:25 20/03/10 690 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp
	  Adds the file _iu14D2N.tmp"="19:18 07/02/10 702288 bytes
	  Adds the file 4otjesjty.mof"="12:27 20/03/10 455 bytes
	  Adds the file uac8062.tmp"="12:25 20/03/10 5320104 bytes
	  Adds the file uacb025.tmp"="12:25 20/03/10 40008 bytes
	  Adds the file uacb148.tmp"="12:25 20/03/10 18968 bytes
	  Adds the file uacb1ca.tmp"="12:25 20/03/10 33248 bytes
	  Adds the file uacb27e.tmp"="12:25 20/03/10 2608968 bytes
	  Adds the file usr.dat"="12:27 20/03/10 144 bytes
	  Adds the file usrr.dat"="12:27 20/03/10 112 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\User Protection
	  Adds the file User Protection.lnk"="12:25 20/03/10 702 bytes
	  Adds the file User Protection Support.lnk"="12:25 20/03/10 1608 bytes
	  Adds the file Update.lnk"="12:25 20/03/10 1576 bytes
	  Adds the file Settings.lnk"="12:25 20/03/10 1588 bytes
	  Adds the file Scan.lnk"="12:25 20/03/10 1564 bytes
	  Adds the file Buy.lnk"="12:25 20/03/10 1558 bytes
	  Adds the file Activate.lnk"="12:25 20/03/10 1588 bytes
	  Adds the file About.lnk"="12:25 20/03/10 1570 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Program Files\User Protection
	  Adds the file virus.mp3"="12:27 20/03/10 29256 bytes
	  Adds the file usrprot.exe"="12:25 20/03/10 2355200 bytes
	  Adds the file usrhook.dll"="12:25 20/03/10 22016 bytes
	  Adds the file usrext.dll"="12:25 20/03/10 40960 bytes
	  Adds the file usr.db"="12:25 20/03/10 5320104 bytes
	  Adds the file update.ico"="12:25 20/03/10 17542 bytes
	  Adds the file uninstall.exe"="12:25 20/03/10 53248 bytes
	  Adds the file splash.mp3"="12:27 20/03/10 75738 bytes
	  Adds the file settings.ico"="12:25 20/03/10 17542 bytes
	  Adds the file scan.ico"="12:25 20/03/10 17542 bytes
	  Adds the file help.ico"="12:25 20/03/10 15086 bytes
	  Adds the file buy.ico"="12:25 20/03/10 17542 bytes
	  Adds the file activate.ico"="12:25 20/03/10 17542 bytes
	  Adds the file about.ico"="12:25 20/03/10 17542 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download
	  Adds the file 14d19c27b28cc3990260d7191f6e0ff6c7483623"="12:29 20/03/10 14388 bytes
	  Adds the file 5333d4f3be10ce6e7e784a5e11f3023dd1443de6"="12:29 20/03/10 24484 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\SelfUpdate\Default
	  Adds the file wsus3setup.cab"="12:19 20/03/10 20742 bytes
	  Adds the file wsus3setup.cat"="19:36 06/08/09 45069 bytes
	  Adds the file wsus3setup.inf"="19:33 06/08/09 13119 bytes

  Registry
  ===============
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\SimpleShlExt]
	  "(Default)"="'{5E2121EE-0300-11D4-8D3B-444553540000}'"
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{5E2121EE-0300-11D4-8D3B-444553540000}]
	  "(Default)"="'SimpleShlExt Class'"
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{5E2121EE-0300-11D4-8D3B-444553540000}\InprocServer32]
	  "ThreadingModel"="'Apartment'"
	  "(Default)"="'C:\PROGRA~1\USERPR~1\usrext.dll'"
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\SimpleShlExt]
	  "(Default)"="'{5E2121EE-0300-11D4-8D3B-444553540000}'"
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\User Protection]
	  "Infected"="10"
	  "LastScan"="1269084690"
	  "InfectedFiles"="'C:\WINDOWS\System32\wtsapi32.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\Drivers\hidclass.sys,
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Drivers\udfs.sys,C:\WINDOWS\cmsetacl.log,C:\WINDOWS\Fonts\cga40woa.fon,
C:\WINDOWS\Fonts\symbole.fon,C:\WINDOWS\Help\common.chm,C:\WINDOWS\Help\localsec.hlp,
C:\WINDOWS\Media\notify.wav,HKCR\Insidebarr.InsidebarrCtl*,'"
	  "dbsignsf"="'62577'"
	  "dbverf"="'1.1'"
	  "dbsigns"="'62577'"
	  "dbver"="'1.1'"
	  "swver"="'3.0'"
	  "Data"="':1866:1977:2088:2310:2421:2532:2643:2754:2976:3420:'"
	  "GUID"="'773065587724809977186238'"
	  "FD"="0"
	  "SecStatus_5"="1"
	  "SecStatus_4"="1"
	  "SecStatus_3"="1"
	  "Settings_0"="1"
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Approved]
	  "{5E2121EE-0300-11D4-8D3B-444553540000}"="'User Protection extension'"
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\User Protection]
	  "URLInfoAbout"="'http://support.activesecuritys.org'"
	  "UninstallString"="'C:\Program Files\User Protection\Uninstall.exe'"
	  "Publisher"="'User Protection Software'"
	  "DisplayVersion"="'1.0'"
	  "DisplayName"="'User Protection'"
	  "DisplayIcon"="'C:\Program Files\User Protection\usrprot.exe'"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
	  "User Protection"="'"C:\Program Files\User Protection\usrprot.exe" -noscan'"

Note: {5E2121EE-0300-11D4-8D3B-444553540000} is a CLSID also used by legitimate software (ATI Catalyst).

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.44
Database version: 3886
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.2180

3/20/2010 12:40:31 PM
mbam-log-2010-03-20 (12-40-31).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 105737
Time elapsed: 2 minute(s), 7 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 1
Memory Modules Infected: 2
Registry Keys Infected: 2
Registry Values Infected: 1
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 2
Files Infected: 26

Memory Processes Infected:
C:\Program Files\User Protection\usrprot.exe (Malware.Packer.Gen) -> Unloaded process successfully.

Memory Modules Infected:
C:\Program Files\User Protection\usrhook.dll (Malware.Packer.Gen) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files\User Protection\usrext.dll (Malware.Packer.Gen) -> Delete on reboot.

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\user protection (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\User Protection (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\user protection (Malware.Packer.Gen) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
C:\Program Files\User Protection (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\User Protection (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Files Infected:
C:\Program Files\User Protection\usrhook.dll (Malware.Packer.Gen) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files\User Protection\usrext.dll (Malware.Packer.Gen) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files\User Protection\usrprot.exe (Malware.Packer.Gen) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\User Protection\about.ico (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\User Protection\activate.ico (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\User Protection\buy.ico (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\User Protection\help.ico (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\User Protection\scan.ico (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\User Protection\settings.ico (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\User Protection\splash.mp3 (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\User Protection\uninstall.exe (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\User Protection\update.ico (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\User Protection\usr.db (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\User Protection\virus.mp3 (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\User Protection\About.lnk (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\User Protection\Activate.lnk (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\User Protection\Buy.lnk (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\User Protection\Scan.lnk (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\User Protection\Settings.lnk (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\User Protection\Update.lnk (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\User Protection\User Protection Support.lnk (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\User Protection\User Protection.lnk (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\fiosejgfse.dll (Rogue.Trace) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Protection.lnk (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\User Protection Support.lnk (Rogue.UserSupport) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\User Protection.lnk (Rogue.UserSupport) -> 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.

Edited by Metallica, 21 March 2010 - 03:32 AM.

#1
Metallica

Posted 21 March 2010 - 03:32 AM

Advertisements

0 user(s) are reading this topic

As Featured On:

Forums

Downloads

Members

Connect With Us