What is ErrorSmart?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that ErrorSmart is a fake system utility 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 problems. You are strongly advised to follow our removal instructions below.
How do I know if I am infected with ErrorSmart?
This is how the main screen of the rogue application looks:

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

And see these warnings:




How did ErrorSmart get on my computer?
Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one was downloaded from their site.
How do I remove ErrorSmart?
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 ErrorSmart?
- No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes ErrorSmart 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 ErrorSmart 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:\Program Files\ErrorSmart\ErrorSmart.exe
Alterations made by the installer:
File System =============== In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop Adds the file ErrorSmart.lnk"="12:35 26/01/13 1852 bytes Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\ErrorSmart Adds the file ErrorSmart.lnk"="12:35 26/01/13 1852 bytes Adds the file ErrorSmart on the Web.lnk"="12:35 26/01/13 1852 bytes Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\ErrorSmart Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\ErrorSmart\Log Adds the file 2013 Jan 26 - 12_35_06 PM_209.log"="12:36 26/01/13 18937 bytes Adds the folder C:\Program Files\ErrorSmart Adds the file ErrorSmart.url"="08:12 02/07/09 51 bytes Adds the file ErrorSmart.exe"="10:45 11/11/11 16396288 bytes Adds the file DataBase.ref"="12:35 26/01/13 17156 bytes In the existing folder C:\WINDOWS\Installer Adds the file 2caf2.msi"="12:35 26/01/13 1108992 bytes Adds the folder C:\WINDOWS\Installer\{E4CAB7A6-CC1F-499A-B44F-BA094767F0CE} Adds the file Icon.exe"="12:35 26/01/13 122880 bytes In the existing folder C:\WINDOWS\Tasks Adds the file ErrorSmart Scheduled Scan.job"="12:35 26/01/13 410 bytes Registry =============== [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Features\6A7BAC4EF1CCA9944BF4AB9074760FEC] "OptimizerApplication"="" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\6A7BAC4EF1CCA9944BF4AB9074760FEC] "Clients"=":.." "AuthorizedLUAApp"="0" "InstanceType"="0" "ProductIcon"="'C:\WINDOWS\Installer\{E4CAB7A6-CC1F-499A-B44F-BA094767F0CE}\Icon.exe'" "AdvertiseFlags"="388" "Assignment"="1" "Version"="34083062" "Language"="1033" "PackageCode"="'DFC7ED34B4ED7044CA6B10D8AA538487'" "ProductName"="'ErrorSmart'" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\UpgradeCodes\77756CC261D9E6D4DA86B9C169CF2A08] "6A7BAC4EF1CCA9944BF4AB9074760FEC"="" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ErrorSmart\ErrorSmart\Settings] "Updated"="1" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\Folders] "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\ErrorSmart\"="" "C:\Program Files\ErrorSmart\"="'1'" "C:\WINDOWS\Installer\{E4CAB7A6-CC1F-499A-B44F-BA094767F0CE}\"="" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UpgradeCodes\77756CC261D9E6D4DA86B9C169CF2A08] "6A7BAC4EF1CCA9944BF4AB9074760FEC"="" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\473D1B29F95B96241830B6A6ADE19368] "6A7BAC4EF1CCA9944BF4AB9074760FEC"="'C:\Program Files\ErrorSmart\ErrorSmart.exe'" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\5A144BD76064D1645B6E74C0734EE406] "6A7BAC4EF1CCA9944BF4AB9074760FEC"="'C:\Program Files\ErrorSmart\ErrorSmart.url'" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\BCF26265A8C1F104A88C5E4B28BEAED2] "6A7BAC4EF1CCA9944BF4AB9074760FEC"="'C:\Program Files\ErrorSmart\'" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Products\6A7BAC4EF1CCA9944BF4AB9074760FEC\Usage] [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Products\6A7BAC4EF1CCA9944BF4AB9074760FEC\Patches] "AllPatches"="" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{E4CAB7A6-CC1F-499A-B44F-BA094767F0CE}] "DisplayName"="'ErrorSmart'" "Language"="1033" "Version"="34083062" "WindowsInstaller"="1" "VersionMinor"="8" "VersionMajor"="2" "URLUpdateInfo"="" "URLInfoAbout"="" "UninstallString"="MsiExec.exe /X{E4CAB7A6-CC1F-499A-B44F-BA094767F0CE}." "EstimatedSize"="16024" "Size"="" "Readme"="" "Publisher"="'AntiSpyware LLC'" "NoModify"="1" "ModifyPath"="MsiExec.exe /X{E4CAB7A6-CC1F-499A-B44F-BA094767F0CE}." "InstallSource"="'C:\DOCUME~1\{username}1\LOCALS~1\Temp\7zS1.tmp\'" "InstallLocation"="'C:\Program Files\ErrorSmart\'" "InstallDate"="'20130126'" "HelpTelephone"="" "HelpLink"="" "DisplayVersion"="'2.8.4342'" "Contact"="" "Comments"="" "AuthorizedCDFPrefix"="" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ErrorSmart\ErrorSmart\SectionToScan] "CheckShortcuts"="1" "CheckHistory"="1" "CheckUser"="1" "CheckSounds"="1" "CheckFileAss"="1" "CheckDrivers"="1" "CheckServices"="1" "CheckStartup"="1" "CheckHelpDiles"="1" "CheckSharedFiles"="1" "CheckFonts"="1" "CheckAppPaths"="1" "CheckUninstall"="1" "CheckComReg"="1" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ErrorSmart\ErrorSmart\ErrorSmart] "checkdbupdate"="2" "scanonstartup"="0" "AskIfOne"="0"
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.70.0.1100 www.malwarebytes.org Database version: v2013.01.26.04 Windows XP Service Pack 3 x86 NTFS Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702 {username} :: MBAM-D3E8C91ACC [administrator] 1/26/2013 12:40:14 PM mbam-log-2013-01-26 (12-40-14).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: 184389 Time elapsed: 44 second(s) Memory Processes Detected: 1 C:\Program Files\ErrorSmart\ErrorSmart.exe (Rogue.AntiSpyware) -> 1588 -> Delete on reboot. Memory Modules Detected: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Keys Detected: 4 HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\473D1B29F95B96241830B6A6ADE19368 (Rogue.RegistryBot) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Components\5A144BD76064D1645B6E74C0734EE406 (Rogue.RegistryBot) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKCU\SOFTWARE\ErrorSmart (Rogue.ErrorSmart) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKLM\SOFTWARE\ErrorSmart (Rogue.ErrorSmart) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. Registry Values Detected: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Data Items Detected: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folders Detected: 4 C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\ErrorSmart (Rogue.ErrorSmart) -> Delete on reboot. C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\ErrorSmart\Log (Rogue.ErrorSmart) -> Delete on reboot. C:\Program Files\ErrorSmart (Rogue.ErrorSmart) -> Delete on reboot. C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\ErrorSmart (Rogue.ErrorSmart) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. Files Detected: 9 C:\Program Files\ErrorSmart\ErrorSmart.exe (Rogue.AntiSpyware) -> Delete on reboot. C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\setupxv.exe (Rogue.Installer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\ErrorSmart.lnk (Rogue.ErrorSmart) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. C:\WINDOWS\Tasks\ErrorSmart Scheduled Scan.job (Rogue.ErrorSmart) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\ErrorSmart\Log\2013 Jan 26 - 12_35_06 PM_209.log (Rogue.ErrorSmart) -> Delete on reboot. C:\Program Files\ErrorSmart\DataBase.ref (Rogue.ErrorSmart) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. C:\Program Files\ErrorSmart\ErrorSmart.url (Rogue.ErrorSmart) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\ErrorSmart\ErrorSmart on the Web.lnk (Rogue.ErrorSmart) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\ErrorSmart\ErrorSmart.lnk (Rogue.ErrorSmart) -> 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