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[Metallica]

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is ByteDefender?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that ByteDefender 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 ByteDefender?

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 ByteDefender get on my computer?

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

How do I remove ByteDefender?

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 ByteDefender?

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

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

Alterations made by the installer:

File System
  ===============
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs
	  Adds the file ByteDefender.lnk"="20:45 20/05/10 1864 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop
	  Adds the file ByteDefender.lnk"="20:45 20/05/10 1858 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Program Files\ByteDefender Software\ByteDefender
	  Adds the file Uninstall.exe"="05:19 20/05/10 781824 bytes
	  Adds the file ByteDefender.exe"="20:45 20/05/10 673808 bytes

  Registry
  ===============
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ByteDefender]
	  "Install_Dir"="'C:\Program Files\ByteDefender Software\ByteDefender'"
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
	  "ByteDefender"="'"C:\Program Files\ByteDefender Software\ByteDefender\ByteDefender.exe" -min'"
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ByteDefender]
	  "UninstallString"="'"C:\Program Files\ByteDefender Software\ByteDefender\Uninstall.exe" /uninstall'"
	  "NoRepair"="1"
	  "NoModify"="1"
	  "DisplayName"="'ByteDefender'"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ByteDefender]
	  "CurrentVersion"="'<snipped> 50f158015b54161b1ab2a5553400fde309fdf2b1'"
	  "AgentsSettings"="1"

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.46
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 4121

Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.2180

5/20/2010 8:52:39 PM
mbam-log-2010-05-20 (20-52-39).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Objects scanned: 106667
Time elapsed: 2 minute(s), 56 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 1
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 3
Registry Values Infected: 1
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 2
Files Infected: 3

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

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

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

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\bytedefender (Rogue.ByteDefender) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
C:\Program Files\ByteDefender Software (Rogue.ByteDefender) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\ByteDefender Software\ByteDefender (Rogue.ByteDefender) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Files Infected:
C:\Program Files\ByteDefender Software\ByteDefender\ByteDefender.exe (Rogue.ByteDefender) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\ByteDefender Software\ByteDefender\Uninstall.exe (Rogue.ByteDefender) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\ByteDefender.LNK (Rogue.ByteDefender) -> 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 May 2010 - 12:30 PM.