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[Metallica]

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is Antimalware PC Safety?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Antimalware PC Safety 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 Antimalware PC Safety?

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 Antimalware PC Safety get on my computer?

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

How do I remove Antimalware PC Safety?

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 Antimalware PC Safety?

• The rogue intercepts calls to your task manager. You can download Process Explorer. Run it and click "Options" > "Replace Task Manager". Enjoy the added value that Process Explorer has over your standard Task Manager.

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 Antimalware PC Safety 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}\Application Data\Antimalware PC Safety\ScanDisk_.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Antimalware PC Safety] "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\59651\AP04d.exe" /s /d

Note: some of the filenames and the foldername are random

Alterations made by the installer:

File System
===============
Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\59651
Adds the file APCS.ico"="08:46 07/03/12 4286 bytes
Adds the file AP04d.exe"="15:57 06/03/12 6590464 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\596510
Adds the file AP596_7.exe"="08:44 07/03/12 4288000 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\APKLZJSUDCS
Adds the file APIQUCS.cfg"="08:46 07/03/12 16960 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Antimalware PC Safety
Adds the file ScanDisk_.exe"="08:48 07/03/12 495104 bytes
Adds the file Instructions.ini"="08:46 07/03/12 1663 bytes
In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
Adds the file Antimalware PC Safety.lnk"="08:46 07/03/12 1786 bytes
In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop
Adds the file Antimalware PC Safety.lnk"="08:46 07/03/12 1766 bytes
In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu
Adds the file Antimalware PC Safety.lnk"="08:46 07/03/12 1768 bytes
In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs
Adds the file Antimalware PC Safety.lnk"="08:46 07/03/12 1774 bytes

Registry
===============
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes]
"URL"="'http://findgala.com/?&uid=7&q={searchTerms}'"
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Reporting\RebootWatch]
[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\install.exe]
"Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\taskmgr.exe]
"Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes]
"URL"="'http://findgala.com/?&uid=7&q={searchTerms}'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer]
"IIL"="0"
"ltHI"="0"
"ltTST"="27962"
"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\Download]
"RunInvalidSignatures"="1"
"CheckExeSignatures"="'no'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{0633EE93-D776-472f-A0FF-E1416B8B2E3A}]
"URL"="'http://findgala.com/?&uid=7&q={searchTerms}'"
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce]
[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]
"Antimalware PC Safety"="'"C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\59651\AP04d.exe" /s /d'"

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.60.1.1000
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: v2012.03.07.01

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

3/7/2012 8:52:59 AM
mbam-log-2012-03-07 (08-52-59).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: 159119
Time elapsed: 2 minute(s), 17 second(s)

Memory Processes Detected: 1
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\dumped++.exe (Rogue.PersonalSecuritySentinel) -> 1300 -> 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\~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|Antimalware PC Safety (Rogue.PersonalSecuritySentinel)
-> Data: "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\59651\AP04d.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: 1
HKCR\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes|URL (Hijack.SearchPage)-> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=7&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: 5
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\59651\AP04d.exe (Rogue.PersonalSecuritySentinel) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\596510\AP596_7.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert.FS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\scandsk.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert.FS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp\scandsk.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert.FS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\Antimalware PC Safety.lnk (Rogue.AntimalwarePCSafety) -> 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.