The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Home Malware Cleaner 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 Home Malware Cleaner?
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 Home Malware Cleaner get on my computer?
Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one was installed by a fake online scanner.
How do I remove Home Malware Cleaner?
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 Home Malware Cleaner?
- No, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware removes Home Malware Cleaner 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 Home Malware Cleaner rogue. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.
Signs in a HijackThis log:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\b0390\HM9fa.exe O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Home Malware Cleaner] "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\b0390\HM9fa.exe" /s /d
Note: the folder- and file-name are random
Alterations made by the installer:
File System =============== Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\b0390 Adds the file HMC.ico"="10:33 26/02/12 4286 bytes Adds the file HM9fa.exe"="00:30 21/02/12 6729728 bytes Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\HMIUXWC Adds the file HMGYHRYXC.cfg"="10:35 26/02/12 16560 bytes Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Home Malware Cleaner In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch Adds the file Home Malware Cleaner.lnk"="10:33 26/02/12 1784 bytes In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop Adds the file Home Malware Cleaner.lnk"="10:33 26/02/12 1764 bytes In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu Adds the file Home Malware Cleaner.lnk"="10:33 26/02/12 1766 bytes In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs Adds the file Home Malware Cleaner.lnk"="10:33 26/02/12 1772 bytes Registry =============== [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\HMC.DocHostUIHandler] "(Default)"="'Implements DocHostUIHandler'" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\HMC.DocHostUIHandler\Clsid] "(Default)"="'{3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF}'" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF}] "(Default)"="'Implements DocHostUIHandler'" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF}\ProgID] "(Default)"="'HMC.DocHostUIHandler'" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF}\LocalServer32] "(Default)"="'C:\DOCUME~1\{username}1\Desktop\HMC.exe'" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes] "URL"="'http://findgala.com/?&uid=8010&q={searchTerms}'" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options] "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\_avp32.exe] "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'" <hundreds more of these> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\zonealarm.exe] "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\install.exe] "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes] "URL"="'http://findgala.com/?&uid=8010&q={searchTerms}'" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer] "IIL"="0" "ltHI"="0" "ltTST"="34430" "PRS"="'http://127.0.0.1:27777/?inj=%ORIGINAL%'" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\BrowserEmulation] "MSCompatibilityMode"="0" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes] "URL"="'http://findgala.com/?&uid=8010&q={searchTerms}'" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Download] "RunInvalidSignatures"="1" "CheckExeSignatures"="'no'" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\5.0\User Agent\Post Platform] "system:5.08010"="" "976901682903"="" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] "DisallowRun"="1" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun] "15"="'avgwdsvc.exe'" "14"="'avgcmgr.exe'" "13"="'avgchsvx.exe'" "12"="'avgemc.exe'" "11"="'avgcfgex.exe'" "10"="'avgscanx.exe'" "9"="'avgtray.exe'" "8"="'avgui.exe'" "7"="'avgfrw.exe'" "6"="'avscan.exe'" "5"="'avcenter.exe'" "4"="'avgnt.exe'" "3"="'egui.exe'" "2"="'ekrn.exe'" "1"="'MSASCui.exe'" "0"="'msseces.exe'" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] "Home Malware Cleaner"="'"C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\b0390\HM9fa.exe" /s /d'"
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.60.1.1000 www.malwarebytes.org Database version: v2012.02.25.06 Windows XP Service Pack 2 x86 NTFS Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.2180 {username} :: MBAM-D3E8C91ACC [limited] 2/26/2012 10:41:14 AM mbam-log-2012-02-26 (10-41-14).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: 155634 Time elapsed: 2 minute(s), 1 second(s) Memory Processes Detected: 1 C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\HMC.exe (Rogue.PersonalSecuritySentinel) -> 1592 -> Delete on reboot. Memory Modules Detected: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Keys Detected: 760 HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\a.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\aAvgApi.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. <hundreds more of these> HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\zonealarm.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\_avp32.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\_avpcc.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\_avpm.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\~1.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\~2.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. Registry Values Detected: 32 HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run|Home Malware Cleaner (Rogue.PersonalSecuritySentinel) -> Data: "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\b0390\HM9fa.exe" /s /d -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun|0 (Security.Hijack) -> Data: msseces.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun|1 (Security.Hijack) -> Data: MSASCui.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun|2 (Security.Hijack) -> Data: ekrn.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun|3 (Security.Hijack) -> Data: egui.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun|4 (Security.Hijack) -> Data: avgnt.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun|5 (Security.Hijack) -> Data: avcenter.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun|6 (Security.Hijack) -> Data: avscan.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun|7 (Security.Hijack) -> Data: avgfrw.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun|8 (Security.Hijack) -> Data: avgui.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun|9 (Security.Hijack) -> Data: avgtray.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun|10 (Security.Hijack) -> Data: avgscanx.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun|11 (Security.Hijack) -> Data: avgcfgex.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun|12 (Security.Hijack) -> Data: avgemc.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun|13 (Security.Hijack) -> Data: avgchsvx.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun|14 (Security.Hijack) -> Data: avgcmgr.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun|15 (Security.Hijack) -> Data: avgwdsvc.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\Arrakis3.exe|Debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Data: svchost.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdAgent.exe|Debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Data: svchost.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdreinit.exe|Debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Data: svchost.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdsubwiz.exe|Debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Data: svchost.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdtkexec.exe|Debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Data: svchost.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdwizreg.exe|Debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Data: svchost.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\egui.exe|Debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Data: svchost.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\ekrn.exe|Debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Data: svchost.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\install.exe|Debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Data: svchost.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\livesrv.exe|Debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Data: svchost.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\seccenter.exe|Debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Data: svchost.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\taskmgr.exe|Debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Data: svchost.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\uiscan.exe|Debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Data: svchost.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\upgrepl.exe|Debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Data: svchost.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\vsserv.exe|Debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Data: svchost.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. Registry Data Items Detected: 2 HKCR\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes|URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=8010&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.google.com/search?q={searchTerms}&rls=com.microsoft:{language}&ie={inputEncoding}&oe={outputEncoding}&startIndex={startIndex?}&startPage={startPage}) -> Quarantined and repaired successfully. HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes|URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=8010&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.google.com/search?q={searchTerms}&rls=com.microsoft:{language}&ie={inputEncoding}&oe={outputEncoding}&startIndex={startIndex?}&startPage={startPage}) -> Quarantined and repaired successfully. Folders Detected: 0 (No malicious items detected) Files Detected: 6 C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\HMC.exe (Rogue.PersonalSecuritySentinel) -> Delete on reboot. C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\b0390\HM9fa.exe (Rogue.PersonalSecuritySentinel) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\Home Malware Cleaner.lnk (Trojan.HomeMalwareCleaner) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Home Malware Cleaner.lnk (Trojan.HomeMalwareCleaner) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\Home Malware Cleaner.lnk (Trojan.HomeMalwareCleaner) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Home Malware Cleaner.lnk (Rogue.HomeMalwareCleaner) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. (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