No replies to this topic

[Metallica]

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is Security Monitor 2012?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Security Monitor 2012 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 Security Monitor 2012?

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 Security Monitor 2012 get on my computer?

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

How do I remove Security Monitor 2012?

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 Security Monitor 2012?

• The shortcut called Security Monitor on the desktop can be deleted if it belonged to the rogue. If you are unsure, compare the icon to the one posted above.

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 Security Monitor 2012 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\{username}\Desktop\installer_m_390.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Security Monitor\Security Monitor.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Security Monitor] "C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Security Monitor\Security Monitor.exe" /STARTUP

Alterations made by the installer:

  File System
  ===============
    Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Security Monitor
      Adds the file securitymanager.exe"="12:05 25/12/11 190976 bytes
      Adds the file securityhelper.exe"="12:16 25/12/11 4840451 bytes
      Adds the file Security Monitor.exe"="12:05 25/12/11 3032576 bytes
      Adds the file IcoUninstall.ico"="15:21 20/12/11 894 bytes
      Adds the file IcoHelp.ico"="15:21 20/12/11 894 bytes
      Adds the file IcoActivate.ico"="15:21 20/12/11 894 bytes
    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
      Adds the file Security Monitor.lnk"="12:22 25/12/11 1872 bytes
    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop
      Adds the file Security Monitor.lnk"="12:22 25/12/11 1894 bytes
    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp
      Adds the file _1.tmp"="12:22 25/12/11 0 bytes
      Adds the file 02c9c3c35bdx5.exe"="12:26 25/12/11 47104 bytes
      Adds the file 17dkf.exe"="12:26 25/12/11 100352 bytes
      Adds the file 1iowieoo.exe"="12:25 25/12/11 39936 bytes
      Adds the file 472a10e2ebxd9.exe"="12:26 25/12/11 45056 bytes
      Adds the file 56493.exe"="12:26 25/12/11 59392 bytes
      Adds the file 8gmsed-bd.exe"="12:26 25/12/11 56320 bytes
      Adds the file ae0965a7157cd.exe"="12:25 25/12/11 46080 bytes
      Adds the file al3erfa3.exe"="12:26 25/12/11 25600 bytes
      Adds the file alerfa.exe"="12:26 25/12/11 23552 bytes
      Adds the file alerfa2.exe"="12:26 25/12/11 24576 bytes
      Adds the file altedf.exe"="12:26 25/12/11 64512 bytes
      Adds the file aqfitrlxi2.exe"="12:26 25/12/11 43008 bytes
      Adds the file backd-efq.exe"="12:26 25/12/11 7168 bytes
      Adds the file brdss.exe"="12:26 25/12/11 70656 bytes
      Adds the file bzqa43d.exe"="12:26 25/12/11 55296 bytes
      Adds the file cffd4.exe"="12:26 25/12/11 91136 bytes
      <And a lot more fake virusfiles>
    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs
      Adds the file Security Monitor.lnk"="12:22 25/12/11 1900 bytes
    Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\Security Monitor
      Adds the file Security Monitor.lnk"="12:22 25/12/11 1906 bytes
      Adds the file How to Activate Security Monitor.lnk"="12:22 25/12/11 1170 bytes
      Adds the file Help Security Monitor.lnk"="12:22 25/12/11 1144 bytes
      Adds the file Activate Security Monitor.lnk"="12:22 25/12/11 1916 bytes

  Registry
  ===============
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Security Monitor]
      "LastUpdateDate"="'2011/12/4'"
      "LastTimeStamp"="264"
      "InstNM"="'C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Security Monitor\Security Monitor.exe'"
      "tb"="............(.w."
      "BackgroundScanTimeout"="1"
      "BackgroundScan"="1"
      "MinimizeOnStart"="0"
      "AutomaticallyUpdates"="1"
      "ScanSystemOnStartup"="1"
      "SoftID"="'Security Monitor'"
      "InstallDir"="'C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Security Monitor'"
      "ADVid"="'390'"
      "uninstaller"="'C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Security Monitor\securityhelper.exe'"
      "(Default)"="'C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Security Monitor'"
      "BuyUrl"="'A16C4BF1AB4B901DE2E2ECF026B1EEEAD492F8B40D00C504EA46103036F048C022CDCFEAC3A'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Security Monitor]
      "DisplayIcon"="'"C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Security Monitor\securityhelper.exe",1'"
      "UninstallString"="'"C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Security Monitor\securityhelper.exe" /UNINSTALL'"
      "DisplayName"="'Security Monitor'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
      "Security Monitor"="'"C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Security Monitor\Security Monitor.exe" /STARTUP'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell]
      "BagNumber"="'390'"

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.51.2.1300
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 911122501

Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702

12/25/2011 12:34:07 PM
mbam-log-2011-12-25 (12-34-07).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Objects scanned: 146207
Time elapsed: 1 minute(s), 3 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 2
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 1
Registry Values Infected: 1
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 1
Files Infected: 11

Memory Processes Infected:
c:\documents and settings\{username}\Desktop\installer_m_390.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> 1276 -> Unloaded process successfully.
c:\documents and settings\{username}\application data\security monitor\security monitor.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> 1812 -> Unloaded process successfully.

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Security Monitor (Rogue.SecurityMonitor) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

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

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
c:\documents and settings\{username}\application data\security monitor (Rogue.SecurityMonitor) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Files Infected:
c:\documents and settings\{username}\Desktop\installer_m_390.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\documents and settings\{username}\application data\security monitor\security monitor.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\documents and settings\{username}\local settings\Temp\ppddfcfux.exxe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\documents and settings\{username}\local settings\Temp\w32rim_mem.exe (Trojan.Downloader) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\documents and settings\{username}\local settings\Temp\wrfwe_di.exe (Trojan.Downloader) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\documents and settings\{username}\local settings\Temp\dffuck.exe (Malware.Trace) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\documents and settings\{username}\application data\security monitor\icoactivate.ico (Rogue.SecurityMonitor) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\documents and settings\{username}\application data\security monitor\IcoHelp.ico (Rogue.SecurityMonitor) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\documents and settings\{username}\application data\security monitor\icouninstall.ico (Rogue.SecurityMonitor) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\documents and settings\{username}\application data\security monitor\securityhelper.exe (Rogue.SecurityMonitor) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\documents and settings\{username}\application data\security monitor\securitymanager.exe (Rogue.SecurityMonitor) -> 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.