Removal instructions for Home Malware Cleaner

What is Home Malware Cleaner?

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:

Posted Image

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

Posted Image

And see these warnings:

Posted Image

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.

Posted Image

Technical details for experts

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

Save yourself the hassle and get protected.

#1
Metallica

Posted 26 February 2012 - 07:28 AM

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