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[Metallica]

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is Hotstar Registry Cleaner?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Hotstar Registry 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.
This one calls itself a Registry Cleaner but detects fake "major threats" and is related to a Tech Support Scam.

How do I know if I am infected with Hotstar Registry Cleaner?

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



You will find this icon on your desktop:



And see these screens during operation:





You may see this entry in your list of installed programs:



How did Hotstar Registry Cleaner get on my computer?

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

How do I remove Hotstar Registry Cleaner?

Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this rogue.

• Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
• Double-click mbam-setup-version.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
• At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
  • Enable free trial of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium
  • Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
• Then click Finish.
• If an update is found, you will be prompted to download and install the latest version.
• Once the program has loaded, select Scan Now. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
• When the scan is complete, make sure that all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
• Restart your computer when prompted to do so.

Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of Hotstar Registry Cleaner?

• No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Hotstar Registry Cleaner completely.
• The shortcut called Hotstar on the desktop can be deleted if it belonged to the rogue.

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 Hotstar Registry 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.

Technical details for experts

Possible signs in FRST logs:

 C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\Hotstar.lnk
 C:\Program Files (x86)\HotStar

HotStar (HKLM-x32\...\HotStar) (Version:  - )

Alterations made by the installer:
 

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\HotStar
       Adds the file Hotstar.exe"="5/2/2016 3:42 AM, 547840 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstall.exe"="5/23/2016 7:13 AM, 435246 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstall.ini"="5/23/2016 7:13 AM, 1522 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\Desktop
       Adds the file Hotstar.lnk"="5/23/2016 7:13 AM, 1867 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Hotstar]
       "Hotstar"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\HotStar\Hotstar.exe"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\HotStar]
       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\HotStar\Uninstall.exe"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "HotStar"
       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\HotStar\Uninstall.exe"

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
 

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
www.malwarebytes.org

Scan Date: 5/23/2016
Scan Time: 7:20 AM
Logfile: mbamHotstsar.txt
Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.2.1.1043
Malware Database: v2016.05.22.05
Rootkit Database: v2016.05.20.01
License: Premium
Malware Protection: Disabled
Malicious Website Protection: Enabled
Self-protection: Enabled

OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: {username}

Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 311613
Time Elapsed: 8 min, 22 sec

Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Enabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Enabled
PUM: Enabled

Processes: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Modules: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys: 1
PUP.Optional.HotStar, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\HotStar, Quarantined, [faf3a632d0c9a096ce72165cce369f61], 

Registry Values: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders: 1
PUP.Optional.HotStar, C:\Program Files (x86)\HotStar, Quarantined, [faf3a632d0c9a096ce72165cce369f61], 

Files: 5
Rogue.HotStar, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\Hotstar.exe, Quarantined, [8865498fbddc3501d0313d98e51ce21e], 
Rogue.HotStar, C:\Program Files (x86)\HotStar\Hotstar.exe, Quarantined, [1cd16a6e8316fd39f9075f76b8498b75], 
PUP.Optional.HotStar, C:\Program Files (x86)\HotStar\Uninstall.ini, Quarantined, [faf3a632d0c9a096ce72165cce369f61], 
PUP.Optional.HotStar, C:\Program Files (x86)\HotStar\Hotstar.exe, Quarantined, [faf3a632d0c9a096ce72165cce369f61], 
PUP.Optional.HotStar, C:\Program Files (x86)\HotStar\Uninstall.exe, Quarantined, [faf3a632d0c9a096ce72165cce369f61], 

Physical Sectors: 0
(No malicious items detected)


(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.