2 replies to this topic

[Metallica]

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is VProtect?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that VProtect 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 VProtect?

This is how the main screen of the rogue application looks:



You will find this icon in your taskbar:



And see these warnings:







How did VProtect get on my computer?

Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one was downloaded from their site.

How do I remove VProtect?

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 VProtect?

• No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes VProtect 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 VProtect 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:

Running processes:
C:\Program Files (x86)\vprotect\vprotectstart.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\vprotect\vprotect.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vprotectstart.exe] C:\Program Files (x86)\vprotect\vprotectstart.exe

Alterations made by the installer:

File system details 
---------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\vprotect
       Adds the file EGutil.dll"="10/23/2013 4:30 AM, 153096 bytes, A
       Adds the file uninst_vprotect.exe"="10/23/2013 4:30 AM, 152080 bytes, A
       Adds the file vcncmndb.dll"="10/23/2013 4:30 AM, 910436 bytes, A
       Adds the file vprotect.exe"="10/23/2013 4:30 AM, 667144 bytes, A
       Adds the file vprotectstart.exe"="10/23/2013 4:30 AM, 18952 bytes, A
       Adds the file vprotectu.exe"="10/23/2013 4:30 AM, 119304 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\vprotect\SpeedBackup


Registry details 
---------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ActiveX Compatibility]
       "vptt"="REG_SZ, "157265"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
       "vprotectstart.exe"="REG_SZ, "C:\Program Files (x86)\vprotect\vprotectstart.exe"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\vprotect]
       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ, "C:\Program Files (x86)\vprotect\uninst_vprotect.exe"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ, "vprotect"
       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ, "1.2"
       "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD, 2210"
       "HelpLink"="REG_SZ, "http://www.vprotect.co.kr"
       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD, 1"
       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD, 1"
       "Publisher"="REG_SZ, "AKorea"
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ, "C:\Program Files (x86)\vprotect\uninst_vprotect.exe"
       "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ, "http://www.vprotect.co.kr"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\vprotect]
       "cmndb"="REG_SZ, "20121115"
       "code1"="REG_SZ, "vprotect"
       "day"="REG_SZ, "2013-10-22"
       "DBupdate"="REG_SZ, "2013-10-23"
       "popup"="REG_SZ, "TRUE"
       "today"="REG_SZ, "2013-10-23"
       "ver1"="REG_SZ, "20120819"
       "ver2"="REG_SZ, "20121124"
       "ver3"="REG_SZ, "20120818"
       "ver4"="REG_SZ, "20120817"
       "ver5"="REG_SZ, "20120817"
       "vprotect_nic"="REG_SZ, "08:00:27:B0:81:23"

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (PRO) 1.75.0.1300
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: v2013.10.23.04

Windows 8 x64 NTFS
Internet Explorer 10.0.9200.16660
{username} :: MBAM-VM [administrator]

Protection: Disabled

10/23/2013 4:41:46 AM
mbam-log-2013-10-23 (04-41-46).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: 194102
Time elapsed: 1 minute(s), 11 second(s)

Memory Processes Detected: 2
C:\Program Files (x86)\vprotect\vprotectstart.exe (Rogue.K.Protect) -> 944 -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files (x86)\vprotect\vprotect.exe (Rogue.K.Protect) -> 2776 -> Delete on reboot.

Memory Modules Detected: 1
C:\Program Files (x86)\vprotect\EGutil.dll (Rogue.K.Protect) -> Delete on reboot.

Registry Keys Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Detected: 1
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run|vprotectstart.exe (Rogue.K.Protect) -> Data: C:\Program Files (x86)\vprotect\vprotectstart.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

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

Folders Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Files Detected: 4
C:\Program Files (x86)\vprotect\vprotectstart.exe (Rogue.K.Protect) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files (x86)\vprotect\vprotect.exe (Rogue.K.Protect) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files (x86)\vprotect\EGutil.dll (Rogue.K.Protect) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\vprotectsetup.exe (Adware.CO.KR) -> 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.

[MKHindman]

I have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and run scans weekly. I checked that vprotect was in the list of applications via Task Manager and ran the quick scan. It did not find the program/virus. Any other suggestions.......I saw instructions on using the registry but would rather use the simpler method.

Edited by MKHindman, 03 November 2013 - 12:19 PM.

[Metallica]

Hi MKHindman,

Please start a new topic here. Include a description of your problem, including the fact that you already tried MBAM. There are probably other factors involved, and one of our malware experts will be able to help you with this issue.