How To Remove Spysheriff / Winstall.exe / Spysheriff.exe

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This forum contains self-help guides on removing common malware and viruses. These guides can be advanced so please use them at your own risk.

If after following the self-help guide, or you can not find an appropriate guide, then you can receive step-by-step instructions directly from one of our experts by following the instructions in this topic: Preparation Guide For Use Before Posting A Hijackthis Log

How To Remove Spysheriff / Winstall.exe / Spysheriff.exe, Self-Help Guide Xp/2K/NT Only

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Grinler

Jun 22 2005, 04:01 PM

Post #1

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How to remove the Spysheriff
What this program does:

SpySheriff is a rogue anti-spyware application that uses fake alerts and false positives as a goad into scaring you into purchasing their software. This software is usually installed by Trojans that issue fake security alerts in your Windows taskbar stating that you are infected with a variety of malware. When you click on this warning, SpySheriff will be download and installed and start scanning your system. The malware will also change your Windows desktop to a black background with a warning message stating that your computer is in danger.

All of these warnings are being issued as a scare tactic used to scam you into purchasing this software. Screenshots of the desktop background, SpySheriff software, and fake taskbar alerts are found below.

SpySheriff Image

Detected SPYware! System error #384

__________________________________________________________________________

Your IP address is 192.168.1.100. Using this address a remote computer has gained anaccess to your computer and probably is collecting the information about the sites you've visited and the files contained in the folder Temporary Internet Files. Attention! Ask for help or install the software for deleting secret information about the sites you visited.

__________________________________________________________________________

Your computer is full of evidences!

Desktop Background

Fake Taskbar alert.
Tools Needed for this fix:

SmitFraudFix.zip

Symptoms in a HijackThis Log:

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpySheriff] C:\Program Files\SpySheriff\SpySheriff.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Windows installer] C:\winstall.exe

Revision History

07/10/06 - Updated the tutorial to use newer tools.

Removal Instructions:

Print out these instructions as we will need to close every window that is open later in the fix.
Download SmitfraudFix.exe from here and save it to your desktop:

SmitFraudFix.exe

Confirm that the file SmitfraudFix.exe now resides on your desktop, but do not double-click on the icon as of yet. We will use it in later steps. The icon will look like the one below:
Next, please reboot your computer into Safe Mode by doing the following:
1. Restart your computer
2. After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the Windows icon appears, press F8.
3. Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu should appear
4. Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode.
5. When you are at the logon prompt, log in as the same user which you had done the previous steps.
When your computer has started in safe mode and you see the desktop.
Close all open Windows.
Now, double-click on the SmitFraudfix icon that should be residing on your desktop.The icon will look like the one below:
When the tool first starts you will see a credits screen. Simply press any key on your keyboard to get to the next screen.
You will now see a menu as shown in the image below. Press the number 2 on your keyboard and the press the enter key to choose the option Clean (safe mode recommended).

The program will start cleaning your computer and go through a series of cleanup processes. When it is done, it will automatically start the Disk Cleanup program as shown by the image below.

This program will remove all Temp, Temporary Internet Files, and other files that may be leftover files from this infection. This process can take up to a few hours depending on your computer, so please be patient. When it is complete, it will close automatically and you will should continue with step 11.
When Disk Cleanup is finished, you will be presented with an option asking Do you want to clean the registry ? (y/n). At this screen you should press the Y button on your keyboard and then press the enter key.

When this last routine is finished, you will be presented with a red screen stating Computer will reboot now. Close all applications. You should now press the spacebar on your computer. A counter will appear stating that the computer will reboot in 15 seconds. Do not cancel this countdown and allow your computer to reboot.
Once the computer has rebooted, you will be presented with a Notepad screen containing a log of all the files removed from your computer. Examine this log, and when you are done, close the Notepad screen.

Your computer should now be free of the Spy Sheriff infection.

If you are still having problems with spyware after completing these instructions, then please follow the steps outlined in the topic linked below:

Preparation Guide For Use Before Posting A Hijackthis Log

This is a self-help guide. Use at your own risk.

BleepingComputer.com can not be held responsible for problems that may occur by using this information. If you would like help with any of these fixes, you can post a HijackThis log in our HijackThis Logs and Analysis forum.

If you have any questions about this self-help guide then please post those questions in our AntiVirus, Firewall and Privacy Products and Protection Methods forum and someone will help you.

This post has been edited by Grinler: Dec 30 2006, 04:30 PM

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Lawrence

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