No replies to this topic

[Metallica]

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is Smart Protection 2012?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Smart Protection 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 Smart Protection 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 Smart Protection 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 Smart Protection 2012?

Our program Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware can detect and remove this rogue application.

• Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from here
  If you are unable to do this from the infected computer directly, transfer the file from another computer.
• Download the mbam-setup.exe to your desktop.
• Now make sure extensions are shown. To do this, please look here
• Then rename the mbam-setup.exe: to iexplore.exe
• Then launch iexplore.exe in order to install Malwarebytes' Anti-malware
• Once Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is installed, navigate to your Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware folder and locate the mbam.exe in there:
  
  
  
  rename it to iexplore.exe
  
• Now doubleclick iexplore.exe to launch Malwarebytes' Anti-malware.
• Click the "Update" tab and click the "Check For updates" button.
• Once the program has loaded and updates were downloaded, select "Perform Quick Scan", then click Scan.
• The scan may take some time to finish,so please be patient.
• When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
• Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
• When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart, so please allow MBAM to restart.
• The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.

Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of Smart Protection 2012?

• The shortcut called Smart Protection 2012 on the desktop can be deleted if it belonged to the rogue.

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 Smart Protection 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\All Users\Application Data\529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E\529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E] C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E\529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E.exe

Note:the file- and foldername are random

Alterations made by the installer:

  File System
  ===============
    Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E
      Adds the file 529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E.exe"="11:22 05/02/12 315392 bytes
      Adds the file 529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E"="11:25 05/02/12 320 bytes
    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop
      Adds the file Smart Protection 2012.lnk"="11:25 05/02/12 1328 bytes
    Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\Smart Protection 2012
      Adds the file Smart Protection 2012.lnk"="11:25 05/02/12 1340 bytes

  Registry
  ===============
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Smart Protection 2012]
      "DisplayIcon"="'C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E\529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E.exe,0'"
      "UninstallString"="'"C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E\529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E.exe" Uninstall'"
      "ShortcutPath"="'"C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E\529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E.exe" Uninstall'"
      "DisplayName"="'Smart Protection 2012'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce]
      "529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E"="'C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E\529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E.exe'"

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.60.1.1000
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: v2012.02.05.01

Windows XP Service Pack 3 x86 NTFS
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702
{username} :: MBAM-D3E8C91ACC [administrator]

2/5/2012 11:38:50 AM
mbam-log-2012-02-05 (11-38-50).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Scan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUM
Scan options disabled: P2P
Objects scanned: 152650
Time elapsed: 1 minute(s), 20 second(s)

Memory Processes Detected: 1
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E\529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E.exe (Rogue.SmartProtection2012) -> 1780 -> Delete on reboot.

Memory Modules Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Detected: 1
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Smart Protection 2012 (Rogue.SmartProtection2012) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Detected: 1
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce|529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E (Rogue.SmartProtection2012) -> 
Data: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E\529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Files Detected: 1
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E\529C50F6007459265E197DE0D151FC4E.exe (Rogue.SmartProtection2012) -> Delete on reboot.

(end)

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.